Notebook: Labor negotiations update - How likely is a strike and how far apart are the sides on key issues?
Some updates as negotiations are set to resume this week
Following the first week of the 2026 USL Championship season, the labor situation has entered a state of “tense coexistence.” While the strike authorized on February 27 has not yet been triggered, the opening weekend was defined by visible on-field protests which we have detailed at length here at BT90.
The USL Championship season officially began on Friday night, March 6, 2026, but not with a typical kickoff. In every match across the opening weekend—starting with the big Louisville City vs. Lexington SC fixture—players from both teams stood motionless for the first 60 seconds after the opening whistle. This continued all weekend long.
As our Johnathan Starling reported, this was met with varying responses from commentators, and camera work on broadcasts.
Symbolism of Unity: The USLPA characterized the move as a demonstration of holding “USL HQ accountable” and a push for professional standards and structural change within USL rather than performance art which they were accused of.
League Response: The league sent an email to players during the final days of the preseason regarding the process of “splitting from the USLPA,” which the union condemned as a “veiled attempt to break” player unity - the letter is below and everyone can judge the contents for themselves.
