Canada's forward Cyle Larin, wearing number 17, celebrates scoring a goal with his teammates during the first half of a CONCACAF Nations League match against Honduras in Toronto on March 28, 2023. The match was covered by photographer Nathan Denette from The Canadian Press.
After months of negotiations, Canada Soccer and its national teams are on the brink of a significant labour deal, one that could reshape the future of soccer in the country. However, the agreement hinges on renegotiating a crucial deal with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), a group responsible for marketing and broadcast rights for Canada Soccer and the Canadian Premier League (CPL).
Kevin Blue, Canada Soccer's CEO, announced on Monday that a framework for a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) has been reached. The CBA will cover the period from June 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027. Blue emphasized that the deal is equitable for both the men's and women's national teams and improves the financial situation for Canada Soccer as a whole.
The players have long voiced concerns about the existing CSB agreement, which they believe has limited their ability to prepare for major tournaments properly. Currently, Canada Soccer receives approximately $4 million annually under the deal, which includes a rights fee guarantee. This amount is expected to increase by $500,000 annually leading up to the 2026 World Cup, where Canada will be one of the host nations.
Blue stressed that a revision to the CSB deal is essential to finalizing the new CBA. He expressed optimism that ongoing discussions with CSB will lead to a restructured agreement that strengthens Canada Soccer's financial standing.
Negotiations between Canada Soccer and the national teams have not been without sacrifices. Blue acknowledged that the players have made "meaningful concessions" during the discussions, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring the future of soccer in Canada.
Canada men's coach Jesse Marsch echoed this sentiment during a media availability from Texas, where his team is preparing for a match against Mexico. He noted that there is strong alignment between the men's and women's teams and Canada Soccer and that both sides are close to finalizing the deal. Marsch also praised the men's team for making sacrifices, recognizing the importance of the upcoming 2026 World Cup for the country.
Despite the progress, tensions remain high, especially with the Canadian Soccer Players' Association (CSPA), representing the women's national team. The CSPA has filed a $40-million lawsuit against 15 current and former members of Canada Soccer's board, accusing them of negligence and breach of fiduciary duty over the CSB contract. The women's previous labour deal expired at the end of 2021, and while an interim agreement had been reached, it was tied to the ongoing men's negotiations due to the deal's pay equity provisions.
The Canadian women, currently ranked sixth in the world, formed their players' association in 2016, while the men's team, ranked 40th, formed theirs in 2022. The prolonged labour dispute has led to job action from both teams, including a boycott by the men's team of a World Cup warm-up match in June 2022 and the women's brief refusal to train for the SheBelieves Cup in early 2024.
The lengthy dispute has also resulted in the resignation of former Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis. Despite the challenges, both sides appear committed to resolving the issues and moving forward together, with hope that a positive conclusion is on the horizon.
