Canada Soccer and its women’s and men’s national teams have agreed on a framework for a new collective bargaining agreement, Kevin Blue, the federation’s general secretary and president and CEO, announced Monday.
When ratified, this convention will apply retroactively from 1er June and will end on December 31, 2027.
“The experience of working with our players has been one of the highlights of my tenure so far at Canada Soccer,” Kevin Blue said in a statement. “As we have gotten to know each other, we have developed a strong sense of partnership, trust and mutual respect.”
“Our players have been true partners throughout the negotiations, making meaningful concessions to help Canada Soccer better fund other important priorities.”
PHOTO PROVIDED BY CANADA SOCCER, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Kevin Blue, Secretary General and President and CEO of the Federation
This agreement is, however, conditional on the negotiation of a new agreement with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), an independent entity which manages the partnerships and broadcast rights of the national teams.
Canada Soccer would receive $4 million annually from CSB, with an additional $500,000 each year leading up to the 2026 World Cup, when Toronto and Vancouver will host matches.
The Canadian Women’s Soccer Players’ Association had filed a $40 million lawsuit against 15 current and former Canada Soccer board members in February.
The agreement between Canada Soccer and CSB was at the heart of the dispute. The women’s team’s last employment contract expired at the end of 2021.
“Canada Soccer management and CSB are in active discussions to restructure the agreement, and we hope to reach a positive conclusion shortly,” Blue said.