What the latest USL changes mean for the Portland Hearts of Pine
USL Announces Revenue‑Sharing and New Salary Rules, Portland Hearts of Pine Gauge Impact
Portland, Maine – On August 4, the United Soccer League (USL) announced a bundle of new rules that will shape the financial future of its third‑tier clubs, including the Portland Hearts of Pine. The changes touch on revenue sharing, player compensation, and franchise movement, with implications that reach both the boardroom and the locker room.
The Big Picture: Revenue Sharing Across the League
Under the new system, the USL will distribute a portion of the league’s top‑level income – largely derived from expansion fees – to all member clubs. “It’s a defined way for clubs to participate in the growth of national league revenue while establishing a broader set of commitments between the league and its clubs,” said a USL press release issued September 10. For the Hearts, who posted gross revenues of more than $7 million in 2025, the arrangement could mean a steady stream of support from the league’s more profitable teams, even though the club is currently a net contributor under the existing model.
Kevin Schohl, president of the Hearts, explained how the new revenue‑sharing model will play out. “It goes in both directions. Successful teams like Portland will help fund less successful teams,” he said. He added that the league will also use the new framework to enforce standards, citing a recent example of the league withholding participation in the revenue pool for clubs that fail to submit required reports or meet operational rules.
Day‑to‑Day Costs for the Hearts
Today, the Hearts pay a $10,000 fee per home match to a video‑production company that streams games on ESPN+. “The costs are significant, and they’re part of the league’s current participation framework,” Schohl noted. The new revenue‑sharing structure, he said, offers a way to offset such expenses by tying them to a broader pool of league funds.
Boise’s Promotion Sparks Questions
The USL also announced that the Athletic Club Boise – the league’s top‑attending franchise – will move up to the USL Championship in 2028. The move has led some to wonder whether the Hearts might follow suit. Schohl was quick to clarify that the two clubs are in very different positions.
“It’s not a matter of paying our way up,” Schohl said. “With the visibility of pro‑rel, we love the charm of winning to move up.” Boise, which debuted in USL1 last season, drew an average of 7,215 fans and plans to expand its stadium from 7,200 to 10,000 seats by 2027. Boise’s metro population, roughly 875,000, exceeds Portland’s by about 300,000.
The Hearts, meanwhile, are still negotiating a new stadium that is slated to open in 2029. Fitzpatrick Stadium, the city‑owned home, can’t accommodate permanent corporate signage and has limited capacity for expansion, which has driven the push for a new venue.
Salary Floors and Health Benefits
The USL Championship’s new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) will lift the minimum annual salary for players to $42,000, paid over 12 months instead of 10. This up‑grade also standardizes health‑care benefits and other support services. The agreement sets the floor for the upcoming USL Premier league at $67,500.
For USL1 clubs, including the Hearts, a separate CBA expires in November 2027. Under that contract, players will earn a minimum of $2,500 per month during a 10‑month season. The figure includes the value of team‑provided housing or a stipend. Schohl said the new Championship agreement establishes a framework that will guide future negotiations for USL1 clubs.
Fan Outlook
When asked whether the Hearts’ recent struggles on the field would open up more season tickets, Schohl gave a measured answer. “The renewal rate for the men’s season tickets in 2027 is 98%,” he said, adding that about 8,500 people were already on the waiting list.
The USL’s announcements represent a shift toward a more unified, financially sustainable model for lower‑tier soccer in the United States. Whether the new revenue‑sharing and salary structures will ultimately bring the Portland Hearts of Pine closer to a new stadium or a higher division remains to be seen, but the club’s leadership is actively assessing the implications for both its players and its fan base.
