MLS, referees union agree to collective bargaining deal

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Major League Soccer's full-time referees ratified a seven-year collective bargaining agreement and will return to work starting with March 30 matches.

Major League Soccer’s regular referees are going back to work.

The Professional Referee Organization and Professional Soccer Referees Association announced Tuesday ratification of a collective bargaining agreement through Jan. 31, 2031. A tentative agreement was reached last week, and PSRA members who officiate regularly in MLS voted on Monday to accept the deal, which is the longest for referees in MLS history. PRO’s senior match officials will return starting with games on March 30.

“We look forward to welcoming our senior match officials back this upcoming match round,” PRO general manager Mark Geiger said in a statement. “It has been a difficult time for everyone as we worked to reach an agreement.”

The two sides reached a tentative agreement in February, but PSRA members rejected the five-year deal as well as PRO’s proposal to negotiate through the MLS Cup. Without an agreement in place, PRO – funded in part by MLS – locked the referees on Feb. 18 and turned to non-union replacements and VAR officials.

The lockout lasted 37 days, during which grumblings about the quality of replacement referees and how they impacted games. Through 70 matches, there were 35 video review interventions, a 51% higher rate than recorded last season. At last week’s Charlotte FC-Columbus Crew match, the first half took 62 minutes to play due to prolonged stoppages that included retaking the opening kickoff twice.

According to the Athletic, referees, assistant referees and assistant video referees will get raises under the new CBA, with those with less than two years’ experience earning $85,000 annually compared to $50,000 under the previous deal. Referees with more experience will earn $142,000, $34,000 better than under the previous deal. By 2030, referees with less than 200 games of experience will earn $110,000 while those with more than 200 games will earn $182,000 annually.

“This seven-year term provides enhanced pay and benefits for all officials and the stability that will support the growth of the professional game in the United States and Canada,” Geiger said.

Said MLS Executive Vice President of Sporting Product and Competition Nelson Rodríguez: “Major League Soccer has some of the best match officials in the world, and PRO’s new CBA with PSRA recognizes that by committing substantial resources to the referee program -- an investment that ranks among the highest for any global soccer league. We’re pleased this agreement provides PRO with a strong, long-term partnership to continue to develop and train the referees to make our officiating even better.”

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