NWSL Players Association announce historic CBA that will eliminate the draft and grant free agency for all

The NWSL Players Association Thursday announced a new collective bargaining agreement that establishes free agency and - in a milestone move - eliminates the player draft, marking a first for a major American professional sports league.

The NWSLPA, in a statement, said the CBA will "eliminate the draft, establish free agency for all, protects against trades without player consent, establishes guaranteed contracts, safeguards player health through workload management, and institutes revenue sharing."

The NWSLPA was established in 2017, and is the labor union that represents all NWSL players. In 2022, the NWSLPA signed the first-ever CBA in domestic women’s professional soccer in the U.S.

“The draft is an antiquated model that empowers teams to decide for players instead of players deciding for themselves,” NWSLPA president Tori Huster said in a statement. “Now, Players can choose the team environment that fits their needs and maximizes their opportunities."

The NWSLPA said the players have been in negotiations with the league since last September, with final negotiations taking place in July. This CBA agreement reflects a shift occurring across other professional women's sports leagues.

"We’ve seen it with the WNBA. And we are seeing it with the NWSL. The players are changing this industry," Meghann Burke, NWSLPA's executive director, said in a statement.

Added NWSLPA Vice President Simone Charley: “The new terms are a reflection of the collective power of players in this incredible league. The new deal furthers the progress of protections that ensure the league’s long-term success. When the players win, everyone wins.”

The new CBA arrives among soaring valuations for the league and its teams, including recent blockbuster sales of both Angel City and the San Diego Wave. Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay recently became controlling owners of the Los Angeles-based Angel City side in a deal worth $250M.

The NWSL has seen exponential growth in recent years, including a record-breaking media broadcast deal that went into effect ahead of the 2024 season. For owners, the agreement ensures labor peace well past the NWSL's next major media negotiations.

In a statement to the Sports Business Journal, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said the league “worked feverishly behind the scenes to strike a deal that sets the league up for success, without the threat of impending expiration or pressure from external parties.

"The resulting CBA gives us long-term labor peace, alignment with global standards, and control over our business, all of which will enable the NWSL and our players to work together to build the league for the future. We believe this incentive alignment will unlock incremental value for all.”

News of the league and players agreeing to a new CBA was first reported by Sportico earlier this month. The CBA will run through 2030. Some of the highlights of the agreement include:

Elimination of the draft

The entry draft is eliminated immediately. The expansion draft is abolished immediately.

Free agency for all

All NWSL players will become free agents once their current contracts expire.

Guaranteed contracts

Every contract will be guaranteed.

No trades without player consent

Players have full autonomy over being traded.

Workload management

The new CBA addresses game frequency, travel conditions, and time off. Minimum standards for charter flights are established, including entitling teams to six legs (three round trips) as a matter of right and a requirement that teams charter for certain midweek games.

Revenue sharing

A collective bargaining salary cap will be linked to revenue sharing on top of a guaranteed minimum base salary cap.