The NWSL and the NWSL Players Association have negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement, which offers the players more freedom and control of their career.
The agreement, which was announced Thursday, will run through 2030 and, according to the NWSLPA, “recognizes the exponential growth of the NWSL.”
“Given our vision to be the best league in the world, we determined that this was the right time to align with global standards and achieve long term labor peace,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “This CBA gives us agency over our business and gives the players agency over their careers. Our new agreement revolutionizes the game, raises standards, and innovates the business.”
Some of the CBA highlights include:
Elimination of drafts: The NWSL has used an expansion draft for incoming new clubs and a college draft. Both will no longer be used, immediately. The new deal “will empower players to decide which team environment is the best fit for their needs and their development.”
Free agency for all: All NWSL players will become free agents when their current contracts expire and every contract will be guaranteed.
No trades without player consent: This protects players from being traded against their will and without knowing it in advance.
Revenue sharing: For the first time, a collectively bargained salary cap will be tied to revenue sharing on top of a guaranteed minimum base salary cap. Teams will be held to a “minimum spend” to ensure that shareable revenues are spent on player compensation.”
The new CBA also expands parental leave and childcare benefits, along with mental health services. It also increases the number of health professionals per club from six to 10.
The league’s salary cap remains in place, but it will grow throughout the length of the deal. It starts at $3.3 million next season and increases through the length of the cap: $3.5 million (2026), $4.4 million (2027), $4.7 million (2028), $4.9 million (2029) and $5.1 million (2030).
The cap in 2024 is $2.75 million. Also, the minimum salary will also increase, rising from $48,500 in 2025 to $82,500 in 2030.
End-of-season competition bonuses will increase from $5,000 to $10,000 and the MVP award bonus will go from $5,000 to $20,000.
The league’s first CBA was ratified in 2022 and was set to run until 2026, but the league has seen rapid growth in all areas, including the current $240 million broadcast deal.
