NO STRIKE! – NEW CBA is SIGNED

ESPN is reporting that MLS and the Players Union have called a joint press conference at 10am today.

Update: 10:07 – Dan Courtemanche just asked for 5-7 minutes.  Over 100 journalists are on the teleconference and roughly 20 players in DC, including the Sounders Graham, Riley and Keller.  Video interviews with the players available later this afternoon.

Update: 10:18 – A new 5 year CBA was signed this morning after a long night.  New contract rights to allow movement within the single entity that is MLS.  More money is there, but that wasn’t key, and most contracts are now guaranteed.

Update: 10:33 – Free agency was the big issue, as agreed by all.  What the MLSPU suggested was a “Re-Entry Draft” to be held after the season.  More details to come on how it will work.

Update: 10:54 – Lots of details haven’t even been passed to the clubs so lack of details at this point isn’t a surprise.  Free agency turns owners into competing bidding for player services, and MLS was setup so as that would not happen.

Update: 11:00 – Designated Player rule or slots weren’t part of the CBA discussions.

Wow, that was a lot to listen to, at the same time keeping everyone updated.  As details come out, expect more discussions here at GoSounders.com

Official MLS Release:
NEW YORK (Saturday, March 20, 2010) – Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Major League Soccer Players Union (MLSPU) today announced that they have reached agreement in principle on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement covering five seasons, commencing with the 2010 season and continuing through December 31, 2014.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber and MLSPU Executive Director Bob Foose announced the agreement today via teleconference call, five days prior to the start of the League’s 15th season.

“We are very pleased to have reached agreement on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the MLS Players Union,” said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. “This new agreement allows us to work with our players to continue our mutual efforts to build the sport of soccer in North America. We worked hard during the past few months to develop a new agreement that addressed many of the players’ most important issues and look forward to a meaningful and productive new relationship over the next five years.”

“I would like to thank the players and the leadership of the Union for their involvement and commitment to the collective bargaining process as well as our fans for their patience as we worked together to reach an agreement,” Garber said. “I also want to thank George Cohen for his expertise in assisting the parties though mediation.”

“The Union is happy with this agreement as it addresses the core issue of players’ rights and we look foward to working cooperatively with the League going foward,” said Bob Foose, Executive Director of the Union.

LA Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan said: “We have a deep appreciation for the commitment shown by the owners both historically and through this process to make MLS one of the top leagues in the world.”

The concluding phase of the negotiations was conducted under the auspices of George Cohen, Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

The agreement is subject to the approval of the MLS Board of Governors and the membership of the MLSPU.

Major League Soccer’s 15th season kicks off March 25 when the expansion Philadelphia Union travel to Seattle to take on Sounders FC in a nationally televised match on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and ESPN360.com. The other 14 MLS clubs are in action on March 26 and 27.