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Jeff Carlisle
Multiple Authors
The United Soccer League (USL) and the USL Players Association have announced a tentative agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for players in the USL Championship (USL-C) as of Wednesday.
Once finalized and ratified by both sides, the new agreement is expected to be effective until 2030, with a provision regarding health insurance that may extend it to 2031.
This deal comes as the USL is working to establish a new Division 1 league, known as USL Premier, designed to oversee the USL Championship, with plans to implement promotion and relegation as early as 2028.
Negotiations had been ongoing since August 2024, encompassing over 60 bargaining sessions. The previous CBA expired on December 31, 2025.
Players in USL League One, while represented by the USL Players Association, operate under a separate CBA, though some aspects of the new CBA will apply to USL Premier.
“This milestone marks a significant advancement for the league and its players, demonstrating a mutual commitment to the growth of the game and enhancement of professional standards,” according to a joint statement from the USL and USLPA. “Both parties will now work collaboratively to finalize the CBA, with further updates to be provided later.”
Key components of the agreement include extending the minimum contract length from 10 to 12 months, raising minimum base salaries, ensuring health insurance for all players, abolishing unilateral contract buyouts, and enhancing players’ rights regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Additionally, protections were discussed for players with contracts at teams that may cease operations.
Sources informed ESPN that the standard minimum salary for USL-C players is now set at $42,000 for 2026, an increase from $31,000. Meanwhile, the minimum salary for USL Premier players will be $67,000 upon the league’s launch in 2028.
A new category for entry-level contracts will exist, although these will not be implemented in 2026. The salaries for these contracts are $34,000 for USL-C (up from $26,000) and $50,000 for USL Premier. Each USL-C team is allowed a maximum of four entry-level contracts, while USL Premier teams can have up to six. These figures apply only to salary and housing allowances, with medical insurance and bonuses listed separately.
The contentious issue of midseason unilateral contract buyouts has been resolved with their elimination, although buyouts outside the season remain permitted.
Furthermore, individual clubs are now required to provide health insurance to players, matching the plans offered to front office staff, a method favored by the USL. There is potential for a league-wide health plan to be agreed upon later, which would extend the duration of the CBA by an additional year.
While the NIL rights are not yet fully defined, they are intended to apply across various leagues, including USL-C, USL League One, USL Premier, and USL Super League. The strategy involves contributions from both the league and individual clubs towards the NIL initiatives.
The proposed CBA also introduces improved protections for players contracted to teams that shut down, with varying levels of security depending on the timing of the team’s closure.