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Report: MLS to cut salaries of commissioner, staff by up to 25%

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Most employees at Major League Soccer's headquarters in New York will have their salaries cut by as much as 25% due to the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, a source told Doug McIntyre of Yahoo Sports.

The extent of the cuts varies, with the league using a tiered system.

Commissioner Don Garber and deputy commissioners Mark Abbott and Gary Stevenson will take 25% salary reductions, McIntyre reports. Managers' and most full-time staffers' pay will be cut by 10%-20%, while pay for "a couple of dozen" entry-level employees won't be reduced.

MLS, which has implemented a hiring freeze, has no plans to furlough or lay off full-time employees right now, according to McIntyre. Players will reportedly continue to be paid full salaries by their clubs.

The league shut down in March after the second weekend of the season. Play is officially suspended until May 10, though given the continued spread of COVID-19, that date will almost certainly be extended.

MLS remains focused on playing its entire 34-match regular season. Models have been drawn up for a July resumption date that would push the MLS Cup final to mid-December, a source told Jeff Carlisle of ESPN.

A domed stadium or warm-weather city could play host to the showpiece match, but such a schedule would require teams to play two games per week in order to complete a full season. That could have an adverse effect on quality level and put players at greater risk of injury.

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