Player Movement In the 2015 negotiation, despite the league and owners declaring it a "no-go" issue, players successfully negotiated the first form of free agency in MLS history. While the last negotiation was about establishing this fundamental right, today players are focused on creating a path to free agency with fewer restrictions, earlier in players’ careers. "Everyone should be able to choose where they want to work, especially once they have a certain level of experience." - Harry Shipp Asset 3 Number of years MLS players played without any form of free agency

Number of years MLS players played without any form of free agency Asset 4 Age and years of service required for free agency eligibility

Age and years of service required for free agency eligibility Asset 5 Percentage of the player pool eligible for free agency in 2019 We are working towards... A true system of free agency whereby players can choose where they work and live with as few restrictions and impediments as possible.

Compensation In the early years of MLS, players sacrificed pay and personal stability for the love of the game to create a foundation for a sustainable, successful league. For many, that meant taking salaries as low as $10,000. Since the MLSPA was formed in 2003, we have continually fought to secure real financial gains for players up and down the roster. "To be a league of choice, we need to have players choosing to come here, and that means they need to be compensated at an appropriate and fair market value." - Ethan Finlay Asset 7 Asset 8 We are working towards... A compensation system that accurately reflects player value and player performance on the field. Improvements over the years have been consistent and undeniably positive, however more work needs to be done to increase minimum salaries, compensate performance appropriately, and ensure all players are able to compete for all available dollars.

Budget Rules MLS oversees an overly complex and unnecessarily confusing system to build rosters and acquire players. The system is littered with acronyms that fans, commentators and players struggle to understand. Players are committed to working towards and fighting for a system that is more transparent, more fair and allows competition to happen not just on the field but between front offices as well. "We want teams to be able to choose how they spend their money, and to make things more fair and competitive across the league." - Scott Caldwell We are working towards... Simpler budget rules under which all players can compete for all available dollars and a league that is more accessible for everyone who cares about MLS and its continued success.