The National Women’s Soccer League and its players have reached a deal on a broad new collective bargaining agreement that eliminates its drafts, guarantees all contracts and raises minimum salaries.
The decision to do away with the college draft and the expansion draft will allow young players greater flexibility in which club they sign with. The move makes the NWSL the first major professional sports league in the United States to eliminate the draft.
“The draft is an antiquated model that empowers teams to decide for players instead of players deciding for themselves,” NWSL Players Association president Tori Huster said in a statement released Thursday. “Now, players can choose the team environment that fits their needs and maximizes their opportunities. Teams will need to step up to create environments that appeal to players.”
The new USL Super League, a pro women’s league that kicked off last weekend with eight teams, was launched without a college draft.
The agreement extends the current contract with the NWSLPA to 2030. The minimum salary will rise from $48,500 in 2025 to $82,500 in 2030, the last year of the new collective bargaining agreement. The current league minimum is about $38,000. There is no limit on salaries for individual players.