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UPDATE:
MLS is coming back.
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) June 3, 2020
The MLSPA approved a return-to-play plan in Orlando. A new CBA has been agreed to and ratified.
We’ll be updating as the day progresses, but some details here: https://t.co/7LpHoJ2PkX
Editor’s note: This post originally discussed a potential deal between the MLSPA and MLS owners. Tenorio says that’s done now. Tenorio is usually right. In short: We back.
It appears that the sudden public consternation between the owners and players worked, as reports on Tuesday claim that the sides have overcome their major differences and are nearing a deal. ESPN’s Taylor Twellman was the first to deliver the good news that a potential lockout should now be avoided.
While things were very intense over the last few days, there has been a major breakthrough between the @MLSPA and @MLS league office. “Cautiously optimistic” as 1 more detail is being discussed and pending the new agreement/CBA being ratified, a lockout should be avoided.
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) June 2, 2020
ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle reports that the league has backed down from their insistence on the force majuere clause in the deal be tied to league attendance. This was a big sticking point for the players and what seemingly caused the sudden threat of a deal not getting completed. The league has apparently caved on the matter.
Multiple sources told ESPN that the breakthrough came as MLS backed down from having a force majeure clause tied to attendance, and instead opted for an MLSPA proposal that used a more industry-standard approach patterned after the NBA.
A deal could be ratified as soon as Wednesday or Thursday and if leaked details are true, we could see the resumption of play by the end of June in Orlando. While nothing is over until the ink dries, the outlook appears much rosier than 48 hours ago.