People of the Union: Ty Harden (USA)

People of the Union puts the spotlight on individuals across FIFPRO’s member associations who are dedicated to improving the wellbeing of professional footballers.

Ty Harden is Director of Player Relations at Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA). The former defender talks about his football career, his passion for the union and who inspires him.  

FIFPRO: Tell us about yourself: what is your current role and what is your background?

Ty Harden: When I played in Major League Soccer, I became involved with our union out of curiosity. There was a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) negotiation and I wanted to learn more about it. Eventually, I got to a point where people in the locker room started asking me questions. Over time I became very involved and I enjoyed advocating for my team-mates. I never thought of it as a job I would take after playing.

I got to meet Executive Director Bob Foose and when I retired after a couple of major hip surgeries, he started recruiting me to take the place of Eddie Pope, who was leaving in 2015. It was a cool opportunity, the perfect blend: it's in soccer, it's helping your team-mates, and staying engaged with the game. It married so many things I liked about soccer, the players, the rights and the advocacy. And I felt that the job wasn't done: soccer in America still had a long way to go in terms of catching up with other countries around the world.

What do you most enjoy about the work you do at the union?

I genuinely enjoy daily interactions with players and the camaraderie that comes with it. Being part of a union means we're all working towards something bigger than ourselves, unified by a shared vision. There’s an incredible energy in seeing 900 professional athletes moving in the same direction, supporting one another, and driving positive change. It’s a powerful feeling, and I’m grateful to play a role in helping amplify their voices and achieve our collective goals.

What issue affecting player welfare are you most passionate about?

It’s not one specific issue; it’s about being there when someone needs support, a source of strength and guidance during tough times, reminding them that they’re not alone and that others have faced similar challenges. Unfortunately, our league has a thing called waivers. Players have contracts with the MLS, not with a team. You can have a guaranteed contract, but still be removed from the team roster and isolated from the squad. That happens when you are put on waivers. The MLS's position is that these players don't have a right to any team training, but our position is that players do have this right and can't be removed.

When players are on waivers, it's obviously very difficult. Often they don't know the exact rules or what their future holds. We try to find solutions for them, such as training with their boyhood team or national team. Letting these players know that someone is working for them, can make all the difference.

Can you share one of your proudest moments working as a union representative?

One of my proudest moments came in the lead-up to the negotiations for a new CBA in 2020, when almost 96 percent of the players changed their Twitter avatars to an IAMTheMLSPA image made up of hundreds of photos of players from across the league. It was a powerful visual of unity and a moment that showed the football world what I already knew: how united our player pool is. It also emphasised how engaged we are with the players. Seeing that kind of solidarity was incredibly rewarding. It was a cool project.

If you could change something in football, what would it be?

It would be for teams, leagues, federations, FIFA, and everyone involved in making decisions to truly understand the game from a player’s perspective. Players are the game, yet too often their insights and experiences aren’t given the weight they deserve. I’d love to see a football world where player perspectives are genuinely valued, understood and part of every decision. 

Is there anyone in the union world or in sports in general who inspires you?

There are so many people who inspire me, including Bob Foose, a true union leader; our staff and other North American player associations, especially the NFLPA. I also have to mention my parents, who didn’t work in sports or unions but both showed me from an early age the power of helping others, which certainly has had an impact on the person I am today. 

If I had to shout out one person it would be Jon Newman, who was the MLSPA’s General Counsel until a couple of years ago. Jon now works at prestigious labour firm Sherman Dunn, where he’s a partner and the General Counsel for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU). Jon can break down complex legal issues quickly and explain them in a way that anyone can understand. He’s exceptionally professional and deeply committed to the power of collective action, the rights of workers, and the broader union movement. His passion and dedication are truly inspiring.

Who is your favourite football player ever and why?

I happened to love Rio Ferdinand, which is a little odd, because I wasn’t a defender until I went to college. I loved the way he played, with a mental awareness, yet great physical presence too. It was probably a huge factor that he played for Manchester United, the team of my childhood era.