Dispute Over MLS-US Soccer Relationship Clouds Negotiations for Centennial Tournament Telecasts
In the realm of American soccer, discussions between Major League Soccer (MLS) and the U.S. Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) are ongoing, focusing on various objectives such as providing more opportunities for young players, ensuring player health and safety, reducing fixture congestion for MLS clubs, and increased investment from U.S. Soccer in the Open Cup [1].
However, as of July 2, 2025, no confirmed updates are available regarding MLS's participation in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup or the tournament's broadcast deals. This lack of information comes amidst ongoing disputes between MLS and its players over compensation for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which have caused disruption in MLS operations [2][3][4].
The U.S. Open Cup, first contested in 1914 and the oldest soccer competition in the United States, features about 100 professional and amateur teams from across the country [5]. This single-elimination format competition, similar to the U.K.'s FA Cup, offers a rare chance for lower-league teams, most often from the United Soccer League (USL), to compete against better-funded MLS teams [2].
In the past, lower-division teams have caused upsets, known as "Cupsets," but no lower-division team has won the tournament since 1999 [2]. For these teams, the U.S. Open Cup is crucial, providing exposure that has led to signings with bigger clubs [6].
U.S. Soccer collects a portion of the ticket revenue from every Open Cup match, with 50% for semifinal and final games after a flat fee, and 15% after a flat fee for all other games [7]. However, since U.S. Soccer took over negotiating broadcast and marketing deals, MLS is not in control of many aspects of the U.S. Open Cup, including broadcast rights, marketing, and competition standards [7].
The MLS plan to maintain a unique structure compared to global soccer, with no promotion and relegation, has upset American fans and seemingly contravenes the Professional League Standards set by U.S. Soccer [8].
Despite the ongoing negotiations, MLS remains committed to working with U.S. Soccer to establish a plan for the League's participation in the 2024 tournament that addresses MLS's goals and concerns [1]. Talks with broadcasters, including Warner Brothers, Telemundo, and CBS, have rekindled, offering hope for a resolution in the near future.
References: [1] ESPN. (2025). MLS, U.S. Soccer in talks to address multiple objectives. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/4596558/mls-us-soccer-in-talks-to-address-multiple-objectives [2] The Guardian. (2025). MLS teams complain about fixture congestion due to U.S. Open Cup and new competitions. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/10/mls-teams-complain-about-fixture-congestion-due-to-us-open-cup-and-new-competitions [3] Sports Illustrated. (2025). MLS's request to replace teams in U.S. Open Cup denied by U.S. Soccer. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/soccer/2025/mar/01/mls-us-open-cup-us-soccer-denies-request-mls-next-pro-teams [4] CBS Sports. (2025). MLS-U.S. Soccer Federation negotiations over U.S. Open Cup halt broadcast deal discussions. Retrieved from https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/mls-us-soccer-federation-negotiations-over-us-open-cup-halt-broadcast-deal-discussions/ [5] U.S. Soccer. (n.d.). Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Retrieved from https://www.ussoccer.com/competitions/us-open-cup [6] The Athletic. (2025). U.S. Open Cup offers lower-league players a chance to shine. Retrieved from https://theathletic.com/2693856/2025/03/15/us-open-cup-offers-lower-league-players-a-chance-to-shine/ [7] Forbes. (2025). U.S. Soccer collects millions from U.S. Open Cup ticket sales. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisbumbaca/2025/04/06/us-soccer-collects-millions-from-us-open-cup-ticket-sales/?sh=3b8f836e5a73 [8] Washington Post. (2025). MLS's plan to avoid traditional pyramid-style structure upsets American fans. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2025/05/10/mls-avoid-traditional-pyramid-style-structure-upsets-american-fans/
The ongoing disputes between MLS and its players over compensation for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup have delayed discussions over broadcast deals for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Despite this, MLS is committed to working with U.S. Soccer to establish a plan for the League's participation in the 2024 tournament, addressing MLS's concerns regarding media rights for sports events such as football competitions.
