USL Championship opener uncertain amid ongoing CBA dispute

"The two sides met for five hours on Wednesday, with a mediator present to help facilitate negotiations. While there was progress on some of the key issues, the USL and the USLPA remain far apart, making an agreement by this weekend highly unlikely."

"One union source told ESPN that "Conversations are ongoing," and that the union is "less than impressed" with the offer the USL has put on the table. USL president of competition and administration Brett Luy indicated that the two sides continue to bargain in good faith, but felt that the USLPA wasn't meeting the USL halfway."

"The USL Championship season is scheduled to begin on March 6 with a match in Lexington, Ky., between Lexington SC and Louisville City FC. But hanging over the start of the season was a vote taken last week by the USLPA membership that authorized its bargaining committee to call a strike whenever it felt such a move was necessary."

The USL and USL Players Association have been negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement since August 2024, with the previous deal expiring at the end of 2025. A five-hour negotiation session on Wednesday with a mediator showed progress on some issues, but the two sides remain significantly apart on key matters. The USLPA membership recently voted to authorize its bargaining committee to call a strike whenever necessary. The 2026 USL Championship season is scheduled to begin March 6 in Lexington, Kentucky. Union sources indicate dissatisfaction with the USL's current offer, while USL leadership states the union is not meeting them halfway in negotiations.

Read at ESPN.com