MLS commissioner Dan Garber said that the league is “focused at getting in as many games as possible” but that the season’s suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic will alter how it will be conducted.
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Speaking to ESPN’s Taylor Twellman, Garber said the league is exploring alternative formats to completing the season, which was halted two games into the regular season last month.
“From tournament formats and neutral locations, ultimately playing an abridged regular season, but doing everything to get as many games,” Garber said.
Garber added that if play does resume, games would mostly be played behind closed doors in what he dubbed as “MLS Studio” games.
Garber added that MLS is closely monitoring its counterparts in England and Germany in regards to how those leagues are implementing training protocols.
MLS has a training moratorium for its players until April 24 but Garber said that would be extended “at least a couple weeks.”
Garber also said “nothing formal” has been discussed as far as a reduction of player wages but that those talks likely will take place.
MLS Players Association executive director Bob Foose told ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle last week that the league had not approached the union about players taking salary cuts, and added that teams are better equipped than others throughout the world to cope with the effects of the pandemic.
In light of Real Salt Lake cutting the salaries of some employees and furlough others, Garber said he expected more clubs to make decisions on non-playing staff salaries.
MLS announced last week that it cut the salaries of its top three executives, including Garber, by 25%, while also reducing management and other staff pay.