Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber told ESPN that the league is “focused at getting in as many games as possible” and is exploring various formats to ensure a 2020 season.
As of now, all play has been suspended until at least May 10th with a training moratorium until April 24th.
“From tournament formats and neutral locations, ultimately playing an abridged regular season, but doing everything to get as many games,” Garber said. Garber added that if play does resume, games would mostly be played behind closed doors in what he dubbed “MLS Studio” games.
Garber added that MLS is closely monitoring its counterparts in England and Germany in regards to how those leagues are implementing testing and training protocols. Bundesliga teams resumed training with restrictions last week.
On the subject of the reduction of player wages, Garber that “nothing formal” has been discussed, but added that those talks will likely take place.
MLS Players Association executive director Bob Foose told ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle last week that the league had not approached the union about players taking salary cuts, and added that teams are better equipped than others throughout the world to cope with the effects of the pandemic.
Real Salt Lake recently announced that it has cut the salaries of some employees and has furloughed others. Garber expects other teams to make similar decisions. MLS announced last week that it cut the salaries of its top three executives, including Garber, by 25%, while also reducing management and other staff pay.
THOUGHTS: It is going to be mighty tough to get the remaining 32 games for each team in once play resumes. An altered format is likely going to occur with most governors not optimistic that live sports with large audiences will return this Summer. Any resumption of the MLS season must be done carefully and to ensure the safety of the players, officials, and other staff deemed essential to be at the games no matter how they are played.
