In a recent agreement, the NWSL and its player association have decided to eliminate the draft and boost player salaries as part of their revised Collective Bargaining Agreement.
With the introduction of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which will continue till 2030, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) becomes the first substantial American professional sports league to eliminate its player draft.
"The draft is an outdated concept that allows teams to make decisions for the players rather than the players deciding for themselves," articulated NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) president Tori Huster.
"Now, players are free to select the team atmosphere that caters to their requirements and amplifies their opportunities. Teams will need to make adjustments to build settings that attract players."
The accord amplifies the minimum player remuneration and has no maximum limit for an individual player's salary. A team's base salary cap will escalate by almost 55% throughout the duration of the agreement, rising from $3.3 million in 2025 to $5.1 million in 2030.
The arrangement will also extend parental leave and childcare benefits. Chartered flights can be utilized for up to six trips in a league season, and extra chartered flights are necessary in situations that the league specifies to ensure player wellness and safety criteria are met.
Player relocation is also addressed in the new CBA, offering unrestricted free agency and ensuring all agreements. Any trade, within the league or between leagues, necessitates player consent. This, the league announced upon releasing the CBA, coincides NWSL standard player agreements with FIFA regulations regarding the status and transfer of players.
"Given our ambition to be the superior league globally, we recognized that this was the appropriate moment to align with international standards and secure long-term labor harmony," mentioned NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman.
"This CBA grants us control over our business and bestows players control over their careers. Our new agreement rejuvenates the sport, raises standards, and transforms the business."
"On behalf of our Board of Governors, I would like to thank our players and their representative leadership at the NWSLPA for collaborating to bring this into fruition."
"The elimination of the player draft in the NWSL is a significant step forward for football as a sport, allowing players more autonomy in choosing their teams."
"With the new CBA, the NWSL is transforming into a more player-friendly league, ensuring better wages, benefits, and control over their careers for football players."
