Players from the Seattle Sounders are expressing dissatisfaction with the bonus distribution arrangements for their participation in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. In a pre-game warm-up before facing Minnesota United on Sunday, Sounders players wore protest shirts featuring the slogans “Club World Ca$h Grab” on the front and “Fair Share Now” on the back. This public action highlights their discontent regarding the bonus amounts allocated for competing in the tournament.
The Sounders are guaranteed a minimum of $9.5 million for their involvement in the competition. This figure could potentially rise if they manage to earn points in their challenging Group B fixtures against Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Reports from GIVEMESPORT indicate that Sounders owner Adrian Hanauer reacted angrily to the protest gesture, addressing the team in the locker room post-match. The team also chose to forgo their standard media availability, opting instead to demonstrate unity on the issue. The core problem stems from the Major League Soccer (MLS) collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which stipulates that MLS players are only entitled to 50% of earnings from external tournaments, with a maximum shared amount of $1 million per team. While this represents an increase from previous terms, a significant portion of the potential earnings from this tournament will not be available to the players under the current structure.
Having recently participated in the Concacaf Champions Cup and scheduled for the Leagues Cup, the club is already receiving substantial revenue. The money generated from these tournaments alone is sufficient for potential player bonuses to surpass the $1 million cap. This occurs amidst a demanding schedule for the team, as they will be active during the MLS summer break, and a successful playoff run in the MLS Cup could extend their season into November.
The current CBA was ratified before the significant prize money pool of the new Club World Cup format was established. Consequently, Sounders players argue that the agreement is now outdated in this context. Although the other two MLS participants, Los Angeles FC and Inter Miami, have not yet launched similar protests, their players are subject to the same restrictive terms.
What the Sounders Say
Sounders captain and goalkeeper Stefan Frei commented on the team`s decision to make their concerns public.
“It`s unfortunate that we are only two weeks away from the tournament with absolutely no clarity,” Frei stated. “We attempted to resolve this through private, respectful channels. I believe what we are asking for is equitable. We are not demanding more than what I believe FIFA intended to be fair remuneration for the players.”
The existing CBA remains in effect until 2028, meaning any adjustments to player compensation for this specific windfall would need to be agreed upon outside of the standard agreement. This is a position being actively advocated for by the MLS Players Association (MLSPA). The Sounders have participated in the Club World Cup previously, but the prize money difference then was vast – they received only $500,000 for participating in the prior format, nine million dollars less than what is at stake now.
What the Players` Association Says
The MLSPA issued a statement expressing full backing for the Sounders players.
“The MLSPA and all MLS players stand united in solidarity with the Seattle Sounders players who tonight voiced their demand for a fair portion of the FIFA Club World Cup prize money,” the statement read.
“FIFA`s revamped tournament adds considerably to the players` already growing workload, without adequate consideration for their physical well-being. To introduce this new event into the calendar, FIFA had to commit unprecedented amounts of prize money to ensure the participation of clubs and players. As a consequence, MLS is set to receive an exceptional financial gain.”
“Despite this significant windfall, the league has declined to allocate a just percentage of these funds directly to the players.”
“For many months, the players have respectfully engaged the league in private discussions regarding bonus terms, yet MLS has failed to propose a reasonable solution. Instead of acknowledging the contributions of the players who are elevating MLS onto the global stage, the league – which frequently asks the MLSPA to deviate from the CBA provisions on other matters – is rigidly adhering to an outdated CBA clause and disregarding established international standards for how players are typically compensated from FIFA prize money in major global competitions.”
“It is the players who enable the sport. It is the players who are raising the profile of MLS internationally. They expect to be treated with fairness and respect.”
What`s Next?
As of now, neither club ownership nor FIFA has publicly addressed the players` concerns directly. It appears the Sounders and other MLS teams will proceed with participation in the Club World Cup under the current terms. While the players are not threatening a boycott of the tournament, which is scheduled to begin on June 14, this issue is expected to continue and will likely become a significant point of negotiation when the collective bargaining agreement expires.
