Canada Soccer and national team players move closer to long-awaited labour deal

Canada Soccer has reached a "framework" for a long-awaited labour agreement with its men's and women's national teams.

But the deal is contingent on a reworked deal with Canadian Soccer Business, whose investor group and board includes the Canadian Premier League owners. CSB looks after marketing and broadcast rights for both Canada Soccer and the CPL, now in its sixth season.

"I am pleased to report that Canada Soccer and the players' associations representing both senior national teams have reached alignment on a framework for a collective bargaining agreement covering the period from June 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2027," Kevin Blue, Canada Soccer's CEO and general secretary, said in a statement Monday. "The framework is equitable across both programs and improves overall financial circumstances for Canada Soccer."

Canada Soccer is believed to receive some $4 million a year currently under the deal as "the beneficiary of a rights fee guarantee." That amount has been boosted by some $500,000 each year leading up to the 2026 World Cup.

"A critical step to finalizing a CBA is a revision to the Canadian Soccer Business deal that will be more favourable to Canada Soccer and will put it on a firm financial footing going forward," Blue said. "The new CBA framework is contingent on such a revision to the CSB deal.

"Canada Soccer's leadership and CSB are in active discussions on a restructured deal, and we are hopeful we will arrive at a positive conclusion soon."

Blue said the players have been "true partners throughout the negotiations."

"They have made meaningful concessions to help put Canada Soccer in a better position to fund other important priorities more effectively," he said.

Asked earlier in the day about the labour