Seattle Sounders players made a bold statement ahead of their MLS match on June 1, wearing protest T-shirts demanding a larger cut of the prize money for their participation in this month’s FIFA Club World Cup. The shirts featured slogans like “Cash Grab” and “Fair Share Now”, highlighting their frustration with the current revenue-sharing model.
The Sounders are set to earn a minimum of US$9.55 million for competing in the newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which runs from June 14 to July 13 in the United States. Despite the tournament’s US$1 billion prize pool, the MLS collective bargaining agreement (CBA) limits player bonuses to just US$1 million per club—a figure players argue is far too low.
Seattle is one of three MLS clubs qualified for the tournament, and all North American participants are guaranteed close to US$10 million in earnings, with potential for more based on performance.
MLS has yet to respond publicly to the players’ protest or media inquiries following Seattle’s 2-3 home loss to Minnesota United.
In a statement, the MLS Players Association said players had “privately and respectfully invited the league to discuss bonus terms,” but accused MLS of clinging to “an outdated CBA provision” and ignoring global norms around FIFA tournament prize sharing.
“It is the players who make the game possible. It is the players who are lifting MLS up on the global stage. They expect to be treated fairly and with respect,” the statement read.
Seattle is drawn in Group B at the Club World Cup alongside Brazil’s Botafogo, UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, and LaLiga powerhouse Atletico Madrid. They open their campaign against Botafogo on June 15.
