Mavericks game postponed Friday as labor dispute between ECHL, players union continues

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - At least one Kansas City Mavericks game has been pushed back due to ongoing labor disputes between the players’ union and the league.

The Kansas City Mavericks announced Friday that their road game against the Tulsa Oilers has been postponed.

The Mavericks are also scheduled to play at the Allen Americans on Saturday, Dec. 27. No announcement has been for that game.

The Mavericks’ next scheduled home game is Dec. 31, and the team released in a statement that it remains a priority to take the ice on New Year’s Eve.

All tickets for postponed games will remain valid, and fans will receive a refund for those games that are not rescheduled, the team stated. Ticket holders do not need to take any action, though, as of Friday.

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The ECHL sent KCTV5 the following statement:

“Unfortunately, union leaders deprived players of the opportunity to vote on our last, best, and final offer – an offer that would dramatically raise player salaries by 20 percent in the first year, boost the per-diem rate, guarantee more off days, and expand the top-of-the-line equipment available to players. We did everything possible to avoid this outcome, and hope that the union leadership will drop its unworkable scheduling demands, let the players vote on our offer, and make it possible for players to return to work.”

What’s at Stake for Players

If the union calls for a strike, the league confirmed that players would lose pay, housing and medical benefits. Leaders want to avoid that outcome.

The league’s offer includes a 16% salary increase this season and nearly 27% over time. It also covers housing, medical benefits and limits on travel between back-to-back games.

The ECHL said the proposal includes mandatory days of and higher daily meal allowances - up to $60 this year, with future increases raising it by 24.5%.

Other provisions in the league’s proposal include:

• Each team must provide a mandatory day off each week
• After 3 games in 3 days, players get a mandatory day off
• Travel between back-to-back games is limited to 325 miles during the regular season, with exceptions allowing up to 400 miles twice per season
• Increased career enhancement payments
• Opportunities for players to earn compensation through commercial appearances

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Player’s Association Negotiations

On Monday, PHPA Director Brian Ramsay said players voted to authorize the bargaining committee to call for a strike.

“Our members have made it very clear that they’ve had enough,” Ramsay told the media in a video call. “Unfortunately, this is a league that would rather bully us than bargain.”

According to Ramsay, inflation would have players making less than the equivalent in 2018.

The PHPA seeks more than the league’s offer of increased caps and continued benefits and continues to push for a less grueling schedule.

The association has alleged that the league uses intimidation tactics that violate labor laws, such as threats of lost benefits during a strike.

Why Negotiations Stalled

ECHL leaders said the contract expired in June 2025. Negotiations started late due to changes at the Professional Hockey Players’ Association.

The league indicated that negotiations are progressing, but not as quickly as hoped.

“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,” league leadership said on its collective bargaining agreement page.

Local Response

Mavericks leadership declined to comment and directed KCTV5 to the ECHL’s collective bargaining website.

The PHPA informed players in late December that it could call a strike as early as Dec. 26. The stoppage would result in the postponement of games.

Fans can check HERE for updates on negotiations and game status.