USFL Players Ratify First Contract with United Steelworkers
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USFL Players Ratify First Contract with United Steelworkers

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This past weekend we reported that the vote to ratify the USFL collective bargaining agreement (CBA) would be held today, January 9th. As expected the vote took place, and even more importantly it was unanimously voted in by the members of the the United Football Players Association (UFPA).

If you haven’t been following the news, here’s a rundown of what the players were voting for.

In regards to player compensation, we’re seeing a nice boost. Active players will go from $4,500 per week to $5,350, which is nearly a 19% increase. Inactive players will go up to $2,500 per week, up from %1,500/week (66.6% increase).

The league is still planning to house all players in their respective hubs for training camp. After which all players will receive $400/week in housing stipend.

Looking towards the USFL Championship, players on the winning side will pull in an extra $5,000.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. We’re seeing a slight adjustment to roster sizes as the deal progresses.

See also

For the first year of the CBA (USFL Season 2), the roster size stays at 50 (40 active/10 inactive). But, for the second year of the CBA (USFL Season 3) the makeup changes to 42 active and 8 inactive.

Training camp is set to begin in mid-March, with Season 2 officially kicking off on April 15th, 2023.

In addition to the CBA, the league is also throwing in $26,000 worth of benefits outside of this deal. This includes retirements, per diem, traning camp housing and the education program which we saw them roll out last year.  As a quick refresher, education Strayer/Capella provides players and staff tuition-free coursework online through Capella University or online and in-person at Strayer University, giving them the flexibility to pursue associate, bachelor’s or master’s degrees in business, healthcare, IT and education, among others.

With the CBA not official, this is a huge step forward for the USFL and the players. At a time where there is now competition in the mix, this is an enticing reason to look towards the USFL.

What are your thoughts on the USFL Collective Bargaining Agreement? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments below or join the conversation on Discord.

You can read the full press release from the United Steelworkers below:

USW: Players Ratify First Contract with USFL

PITTSBURGH — The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that union-represented players have voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new agreement with the United States Football League (USFL) covering roughly 350 professional athletes.
USW International President Thomas M. Conway said that football players, like all workers, deserve fair treatment on the job and that the new agreement empowers individuals to speak up.
Our union is committed to working with players to improve conditions and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect by the league,” Conway said. “The contract provides a much-needed voice for players, whose jobs and earnings also will be more secure under the ratified agreement.”
USW International Secretary Treasurer John Shinn, who represents the union on the AFL-CIO Sports Council, said the new contract provides important improvements for players from last season.
Through standing together in unity, players successfully bargained for enhanced economic and medical provisions, including a newly negotiated five-week injured reserve,” Shinn said. “Throughout the league, from training camp and through the season, players will receive better pay and have more security.”
Ryan Cave, an executive with the United Football Players Association, said that collectively bargaining for better treatment and working conditions is an important step toward raising standards of living in the future.
From experience, we know that working together is the key to getting results,” Cave said. “Players throughout the USFL stood together, and we achieved a strong first contract as a direct result from that solidarity.”
The USW and the USFL announced tentative agreement on a first contract for players on December 15, 2022, about five months after their representation election in June, which was overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.
 
The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in manufacturing, metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number in tech, public sector and service occupations.