Union’s Tanner Ernst Suspended By MLS

By Daniel Feuerstein | March 16th, 2026 | New York, NY

Monday Afternoon, Major League Soccer announced they have suspended Philadelphia Union’s Sporting Director Tanner Ernst from now till June 1st of the 2026 MLS Regular Season for using sexist and anti-gay language in the workplace. It was also reported that he had made racist comments about Black players, coaches, and referees as the MLS Players’ Association made a report to the league.

On November 19th, 2025, the league reopened its investigation of these inappropriate allegations after a report from The Guardian was published, discussing the matter of the violations of MLS policies and standards of professional conduct required of League and Club leadership. Tanner was placed on administrative leave for making inappropriate and insensitive comments. After failing in their previous investigation of verifying the claims. The league used an outside law firm, Littler Mendelson, to independently review the case for a second time.

During this suspension for Ernst, he must attend a League-approved restorative practices program, so he can be reinstated and continue with his position at the Union. He joined the club as their Sporting Director in the 2018 season and was given an extension in the 2021 season.

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