Official announcements from NWSL teams or news outlets

NWSL Reaches Historic CBA: No Draft, Player Trade Consent, Salary Increase

Aug 22, 2024, 12:10 PM

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and the NWSL Players Association have reached a groundbreaking collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that will last through the 2030 season. This historic CBA makes the NWSL the first major professional sports league in the United States to eliminate its draft system, allowing players to have unrestricted free agency. The agreement also includes guaranteed contracts, a requirement for player consent in trades, and a significant increase in minimum salaries and salary caps, with the average salary starting at $135K. Additionally, the CBA introduces revenue sharing, charter flights, and financial support for player family planning. The changes are seen as a major shift in the American sports landscape, emphasizing player empowerment and setting a new standard for labor agreements in professional sports.