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ECHL Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with the Professional Hockey Players' Association

ECHL Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiations with the Professional Hockey Players' Association

December 26 Update

On December 25, 2025, the ECHL made its last, best, and final offer to the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA). The ECHL made clear to union leadership that this was the best offer and that any future offers likely will need to account for losses in revenue attributable to missed games from a player strike. While we did not receive a formal response, we have heard from certain players that they will not be reporting for their scheduled games. We strongly encouraged union leadership to submit our offer to a vote of its membership, but we do not believe that happened.

This deal rewards players and ensures the sustainability of our teams and league so that it can continue to offer an entertaining and financially accessible product to our fans, and provide our incredible players with as many opportunities to play and compete.

Last, Best, and Final Offer Overview

An immediate 19.8% increase to the salary cap for this season – to be paid retroactively from the start of the season (which would be paid upon ratification).

Additional salary cap increases in future years, which would increase total player salaries nearly 27% from the current cap.

In addition to the increase in player salaries, the ECHL will continue to cover 100 percent of player costs for:
- Fully furnished housing
- Utility and internet costs
- Medical and dental benefits

We have also made several proposals aimed at improving health and safety, including:
- Requirements for mandatory days off
- Addressing travel between back-to-back games
- Modifying holiday and mid-season breaks

Enable every team to provide custom sticks and enable all players to choose an alternate 5-Star rated helmet from the Virginia Tech Helmet Study.

Increase per diems (reimbursements for meals while traveling) to $60 this year, as well as future increases that will raise the per diem by 24.5 percent from the current rate.

Below is a chart that sets the record straight about the false misinformation that the PHPA continues to circulate.

Myth	Fact
The ECHL has done nothing to address player equipment needs	We’ve made bargaining proposals that deliver exactly what the PHPA has asked for – custom sticks and alternate helmets Our proposal says every team can provide custom sticks and any player can choose an alternate 5-Star rated helmet
The ECHL continues to demand unreasonable travel between games	Player health and safety is important, and our several proposals are designed to improve travel requirements. This includes Introducing stricter requirements for mandated days off every week Reducing the mileage limits for travel between back-to-back games Modifying in-season breaks ECHL bylaws dictate that no teams can be within 100 miles of another club, which creates some scheduling challenges, but we have offered to address this in the new CBA.
The ECHL has not made any meaningful proposal to improve player compensation	Our current offer calls for an immediate 19.8% increase to the cap, with retroactive pay for this season, and a nearly 27% total increase in future years We’ve also offered annual increases to the per diem rate, raising it to $60 this year and 24.5% overall
The ECHL is refusing to bargain in good faith	We’ve been bargaining in good faith for nearly a year and want to get a deal done We’ve said to the PHPA if there is a willingness to drop its most extreme demands we are ready and willing to bargain
The ECHL has been threatening players and sending communications that are not permitted	Every communication we have had with the PHPA, our players, and teams has been appropriate and lawful—and publicly available We have a right to make sure that our players have and understand the specifics of our proposals and what has happened at the bargaining table It’s also appropriate to make sure all parties know what could happen in the event of a strike. This is an outcome that would not benefit anyone, and it’s important to know what is at stake

We are reaching out to provide an update on collective bargaining with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA) as we approach the union’s self-imposed deadline of Friday, December 26, to reach a new deal before threatening to go on strike – something that would result in players not getting paid and losing housing and medical benefits – which the ECHL and its teams want to avoid.

The union continues to misrepresent our proposals and our offer, and continues to insist on extreme demands that are holding us from reaching a deal. Below is a chart that sets the record straight and reiterates that we are not engaging with the union’s publicity stunts that distracts us from our ultimate goal of reaching an agreement that will:

Dramatically increase player compensation
Improve player health and safety, and
Deliver on new initiatives that are responsive to our players needs on and off the ice.

At the same time, we have to do this in a way that both rewards our players and sets up the long-term success of our teams and the sustainability of our league so that we can continue to grow, put on an entertaining and financially accessible product for our fans, and provide as many opportunities as possible to play and develop young players for the next level.

Myth	Fact
The ECHL has done nothing to address player equipment needs	We’ve made bargaining proposals that deliver exactly what the PHPA has asked for – custom sticks and alternate helmet options Our proposal says every team can provide custom sticks and any player can determine if an alternate 5-Star rated helmet is needed
The ECHL continues to demand on unreasonable travel between games	Player health and safety is important, and our several proposals are designed to improve travel requirements. This includes Introducing stricter requirements for mandated days off every week, including extra non-physical activities days after a 3-in-3 Reducing the mileage limits for travel between back-to-backs games Modifying in-season breaks ECHL by-laws dictate that no teams can be within 100 miles of another club, which creates some scheduling challenges, but we have offered to address this in the new CBA.
The ECHL has not made any meaningful proposal to improve player compensation	Our current offer calls for an immediate 16.4% increase to the cap, with retroactive pay for this season, and a nearly 27% total increase in future years We’ve also offered annual increases to the per diem rate, raising it to $60 this year and 24.5% over the CBA term
The ECHL is refusing to bargain in good faith	We’ve been bargaining in good faith for nearly a year and want to get a deal done That negotiations started later than anticipated due to a change in union leadership – making it harder to get a deal done before this season started We’ve said to the PHPA if there is a willingness to drop its most extreme offers, we are ready and willing to bargain The PHPA has been engaged in regressive bargaining, adding new items as recently as this week, and holding back confirmation on agreed upon items
The ECHL has been threatening players and sending communications that are not permitted	Every communication we have had with the PHPA, our players, and teams has been appropriate and lawful We have a right to make sure that our players have and understand the specifics of our proposals and what has happened at the bargaining table It’s also appropriate to make sure all parties know what could happen in the event of a strike. This is an outcome that would not benefit anyone, and it’s important to know what is at stake

We continue to be willing to bargain and reach a deal that avoids a strike and sets us up for long-term growth. No matter what happens, it will not be possible for us to agree to a new deal that could potentially have dire consequences for teams and the future of our league.

We hope that the PHPA is willing to bargain, and we can reach an agreement that allows us to continue to compete for fans.

Overview

The ECHL is proud of our teams – and especially the players – who work hard to put a fun, competitive, and entertaining product on the ice and give back to the communities we serve. Our league prides itself on our ability to deliver high-level competition and provide affordable entertainment in our communities – with an average ticket price across the league of approximately $21.

As we continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the Professional Hockey Players’ Association (PHPA), our goal continues to be reaching an agreement that increases player compensation, improves health and safety, and delivers on new initiatives that are responsive to our players to support them on and off the ice.

Our approach will continue to balance the need to best support our players and maintain a sustainable business model that helps ensure the long-term success of our league so it remains affordable and accessible to fans. Below is the most up-to-date information on negotiations and our latest proposals.

A Quick Look at Our Offer

An immediate 16.4% increase to the salary cap for this season – to be paid retroactively from the start of the season (which would be paid upon ratification).
- Additional salary cap increases in future years, which would increase total player salaries nearly 27% from the current cap.

In addition to player salaries, the ECHL will continue to cover 100 percent of player costs for:
- Fully furnished housing
- Utility and internet costs
- Medical and dental benefits

We have also made several proposals aimed at improving health and safety, including:
- Requirements for mandatory days off
- Addressing travel between back-to-back games
- Modifying holiday and mid-season breaks

Enable every team to provide custom sticks and enable all players to choose an alternate 5-Star rated helmet from the Virginia Tech Helmet Study.

Increase per diems (reimbursements for meals while traveling) to $60 this year, as well as future increases that will raise it by 24.5 percent from the current rate.

Where Things Stand Today

In late December 2025, the PHPA informed its players that it could force players to stop work as early as December 26, 2025

This work stoppage would result in at least some games being postponed for the 2025-2026 ECHL season, and have a significant impact on the players who would stop getting paid, and lose housing and medical benefits – something the ECHL leadership wants to avoid

We believe the players would much prefer to continue playing and supporting the fans and communities we serve while we work through negotiations

How We Got Here

The current CBA expired this past June, and due to circumstances out of either party’s control, including changes at the PHPA, negotiations began later than in the past

Negotiations have been progressing, but not as quickly as we would like. We have reached a number of tentative agreements and remain focused on reaching a comprehensive new agreement that supports our players and the long-term health of every team in our league

Additional Background On the ECHL’s Proposal

We want to make sure that players and fans can see the offer we have presented to the PHPA, and in addition to the highlights shared above, the following information details additional provisions that will strengthen the competitive pay and benefits we offer for our players and ensure we can continue to put a sustainable and entertaining product forward that remains accessible to our fans.

Days-Off / 3-in-3

Each team will be required to provide a Mandatory Day Off each week. No more than 7 days may pass between Mandatory Days off, subject to game rescheduling. If a change to the schedule occurs after its initial release, then the PHPA and League will meet to discuss a reasonable change to the schedule. If no other option exists, then the time for the Mandatory Day Off can be within 9 days.

Teams may provide additional days off at their discretion.

After a 3-in-3, a Mandatory Day Off must occur the next day, unless travelling, in which case it will occur the following day. Additionally, after a 3-in-3, an additional day of no mandatory physical activity will be provided in the 7-day period following the 3-in-3.

Travel To Games

Travel: There shall be a 325-mile limit for travel between back-to-back games (i.e. games that occur on consecutive days) during the Regular Season, with the exception that each Member shall be permitted to travel up to 400 miles for back-to-back games up to two (2) times per Regular Season.

Holiday Breaks

2025-26 – December 22 to December 25 – 4 Days

2026-27 – December 21 to December 25 – 5 Days

2027-28 – December 22 to December 26 – 5 Days; Travel may be required on December 26.

2028-29 – December 24 to December 27 – 4 Days; Travel may be required on December 27.

2029-30 – December 23 to December 26 – 4 Days; Travel may be required on December 26.

Additional Player Benefit Increases