USL, players reach agreement on new CBA: Key details of new deal

The USL and USL Players Association reached a tentative agreement on the framework of a new collective bargaining agreement on Thursday night.The two sides issued a joint statement calling the agreement, “a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards.”The two sides had gone back and forth publicly as they approached the deadline of the previous CBA. USL players protested at the start of games in the first week of the season — at one point threatening to strike — as they fought for higher minimum salaries, better housing options and guaranteed health insurance, among other issues. They have played on without any work stoppage.Sources briefed of the deal that spoke to The Athletic but were not authorized to speak publicly until it was ratified, said the sides reached common ground in all of those areas. The agreement will span five years, through the end of 2030, with an option for a sixth year, pending agreements surrounding group insurance. The minimum salary will go up to $42,000 for players in the second-division USL Championship in 2026, with entry-level contracts at $34,000 for