With the Club World Cup on the horizon, players from the Seattle Sounders are expressing their discontent with the bonus structure for their participation in the prestigious tournament. In a visible protest ahead of a fixture against Minnesota United, the players donned shirts bearing messages like “Club World Ca$h Grab” and “Fair Share Now” to voice their concerns about the financial rewards.

The Sounders stand to receive a minimum of $9.5 million for partaking in the tournament, a figure that could increase based on their performance in a challenging Group B that includes Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, and Paris Saint-Germain.

According to reports from Givemesport, owner Adrian Hanauer confronted the team regarding this protest in the locker room after the match. The team opted not to hold their usual media session, instead choosing to show solidarity against the current compensation framework that is in place due to the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

The CBA restricts MLS players to earning only 50% of the revenue from external competitions, with a $1 million cap to be distributed among team members. Despite a modest improvement from previous agreements, many players feel this cap is insufficient.

The Seattle Sounders have previously participated in the Concacaf Champions Cup and the Leagues Cup, yielding substantial bonuses for the players. Complications arise as the current CBA was ratified without considering the current prize money dynamics from the Club World Cup, prompting the Sounders to argue that the agreement is outdated and necessitates reevaluation.

As they prepare for the Club World Cup beginning on June 14, the Sounders are not suggesting a boycott of the tournament, but are instead highlighting an important advocacy issue that will play a significant role in future CBA discussions.