-
Jeff Carlisle
Multiple Authors
The USL Championship commenced on Friday with Louisville City FC securing a 2-1 victory over Lexington SC, but the match was marred by a silent protest.
Immediately after the game began, players from both teams stood still for a minute to draw attention to stalled CBA negotiations between the league and the USL Players Association (USLPA).
We are proud of our players for standing together today in pursuit of professional standards.
This moment on the field was not about theatrics, but about unity and holding USLHQ accountable.
We are united.
⁰#StandUpForStandards pic.twitter.com/NoKkqGzg5O— USLPA (@USLPlayers) March 7, 2026
Since August 2024, both parties have been working to negotiate a new CBA for USL Championship players. The previous agreement expired at the end of 2025, but negotiations have continued under its terms. Intense discussions took place, leading to a Feb. 26 vote by the USLPA membership authorizing its bargaining committee to call for a strike if necessary.
The USL and USLPA met recently with a mediator from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, yet no significant progress towards an agreement was reported. According to a league source, the USL has requested available dates for the next bargaining session but has not received a response.
After the recent meeting, The Guardian reported that the USL sent an email to players containing information about their rights if they crossed a picket line and instructions on how to resign from the USLPA. The USLPA criticized this email as “classic union busting” aimed at intimidating players from asserting their rights.
In the wake of Friday’s demonstration, the USLPA released a statement on Instagram labeling the players’ actions as “a unified show of resolve.” They asserted, “This is not symbolic. Negotiations have reached a crucial point where players must take a stand. They will continue advocating until a fair agreement is reached. The next move lies with the League headquarters.”
In response to the players’ display, a USL spokesperson conveyed to ESPN, “Our focus remains on returning to the bargaining table and achieving a fair agreement.”
The most recent bargaining session indicated some progress regarding minimum player compensation, which encompasses salary and housing allowances. The USL increased its offer from $38,500 to $40,000 annually, while the USLPA lowered its ask from $43,000 to $42,000.
The USLPA claimed that Wednesday’s meeting included an ultimatum that could have potentially relegated 100 players to contracts worth $30,000. They noted they are evaluating recent developments and will propose new dates for discussions.
The USL noted that health insurance would now be a separate benefit from salary and housing contrary to the previous agreement. However, union representatives countered that the situation is more complex, with the USL proposing to allow the signing of up to four players under “Entry Contracts,” which come with $33,000 annual salaries and housing allowances for players under 23 who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for USL Championship contracts.
Additionally, the USL has agreed to eliminate a clause allowing unilateral buyouts of three contracts per team over two years, a significant point of contention for the USLPA in recent weeks.
Recent proposals also included increased protections for players on teams that cease operations. The USL’s offer states that players would receive six months’ salary if a team folds before December 1 and nine months’ salary plus two months’ housing if it folds between December 1 and the start of the following season. The USLPA has countered, requesting that both periods include two months of housing allowances and health insurance.
Moreover, the USL’s terms will provide bonuses for players on championship teams and for individual accolades, in addition to compensation for league-level promotional events and appearances.
Yet, key issues still need resolution, such as the requirement for clubs to provide health insurance. While both parties agree on its necessity, discussions have stalled over the USL’s stance of offering players the option to choose the same policy as other club employees versus the USLPA’s demand for universal access to the same policy for all players. The matter of NIL rights, another critical agenda item for the players, also remains unresolved, with players seeking $625,000 while the league is only offering $125,000.
These negotiations unfold with the USL’s ambition to create a separate Division 1 league above the USL Championship, aiming to implement a system of promotion and relegation as early as 2028.