MLS set to begin with stand-in refs as CBA dispute goes on - ESPN

The Professional Soccer Referees Association (PSRA), the union that represents officials working in MLS, the NWSL, and the USL, rejected a proposed new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) put before it by the union's executive board, and negotiated with the Professional Referees Organization (PRO), the referees' employer.

Around 98% of the union membership participated in the vote, with 95.8% voting to reject ratification. The vote took place Thursday and Friday, and in response, the PRO is now saying it will lock out the referees starting at midnight ET on Saturday and begin the season with replacement officials.

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«The skyrocketing growth of MLS has significantly increased demands on officials mentally and physically, and as such has increased demands on both our professional and personal time,» Peter Manikowski, president and lead negotiator for PSRA, said in a news release.

«Our members are asking not only for fair compensation at a time when the league is reporting record growth, but also for the ability to take care of themselves on the road and at home to continue officiating at the highest level that this sport demands.

»Feedback from our members indicates the failed ratification was driven by issues with the compensation and benefits PRO was offering, as well as a lack of improvements to travel, scheduling and other quality-of-life issues."

PRO general manager Mark Geiger said in a statement, «We made meaningful progress during recent bargaining, agreeing to fair pay increases, and addressing many of the PSRA's concerns with respect to non-economic items.

»This represented approximately a 25% overall increase over 2023 when comparing salary, retainers, game