MLS Players Protest Club World Cup Prize Money Cap

Seattle Sounders players, with support from the MLS Players Association (MLSPA), protested before their match against Minnesota United to demand a fairer share of the FIFA Club World Cup prize money. Each participating MLS club—Seattle Sounders, Inter Miami, and LAFC—is set to receive at least $9.55 million simply for qualifying for the tournament. However, the current collective bargaining agreement caps player bonuses for outside tournaments at $1 million per team. Players wore protest shirts and criticized the league for not updating the bonus structure to match the unprecedented prize pool and increased demands on players. The MLSPA accused MLS of ignoring international standards and failing to negotiate in good faith. MLS has not yet responded to the players' calls for revised bonus allocations.