Canadian players' salary dispute escalates as men's team issues legal letters over image rights

July 27 - The Canadian Men's National Team Players' Association has taken a stand against Canada Soccer sponsors' use of players' names, images and likenesses in their marketing and advertising.

In the latest episode of a long-running battle in Canadian football over compensation between players and the governing body, Canada Soccer sponsors have received a cease and desist letter urging them to stop using players in their promotions.

The players' association argues that sponsors should not be allowed to associate with men's national team players and that the diversion of funds to for-profit entities negatively impacts the future of the game. sports in Canada.

The dispute stems from the lack of a wage agreement between the country's men's and women's national team players and Canada Soccer. The litigation has now been going on for over a year.

The players' association has criticized the governing body's agreement with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), launched in 2018, which manages national team rights as well as commercial inventory and media rights related to football. Canadian Premier League (CPL).< /p>

In the agreement, CSB pays an annual fee between C$3 million (US$2.3 million) and C$4 million (US$3 million) to Canada Soccer and receives in return all revenue generated from the sale of media rights and national team sponsorships. .

This deal has been criticized for granting valuable rights for a long term (20 years), particularly given the increased value of Canada Soccer's media and sponsorship rights after co-hosting the FIFA World Cup. FIFA 2026.

Players have long believed that the CSB deal does not benefit them. However, Canada Soccer says the revenue is not enough to satisfy all parties.

The men's players' association said the latest offer would see the federation retain between C$8.9 million (US$6.7 million) and C$14.1 million (C$10.5 million). million US dollars) on the combined prize money of the men's and women's World Cups.

The men's team won $9.5 million in prize money from their participation in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where they came out of the group stage without winning a single match.

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