This summer, the Seattle Sounders and Inter Miami, along with potentially LAFC, will compete in FIFA's expanded Club World Cup, where each participating Concacaf team stands to earn $9.55 million.

In addition to the participation fee, teams can earn extra funds: $2 million for each win, $1 million for each draw, and up to $7.5 million for advancing beyond the group stage.

Despite these lucrative payouts, MLS players are limited to a maximum of $1 million in prize money due to the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) ratified in February 2021.

The CBA stipulates that players receive 50% of the prize money from both compulsory and non-compulsory tournaments, but the cap on total player payouts does not account for the new FIFA tournament.

This situation highlights a disconnect between the unprecedented prize money available and the existing CBA framework, raising questions about potential changes to player compensation.

If the maximum payout is distributed evenly among a 30-player roster, each player would receive approximately $33,333, which would not impact their salary budget charge.

Cristian Roldan, a midfielder for the Sounders, expressed hope for improved compensation but remains enthusiastic about the chance to compete against top teams.

Moreover, MLS is considering a calendar change to a fall-spring format, which would require approval from the Players Association and could affect training conditions during the winter months.