The National Women's Soccer League and the NWSL Players Association have agreed upon the first-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement that run through the 2026 season with an investment of almost $100 million over the course of the CBA. The two sides had been negotiating with each other since March 2021 and the deadline to reach an agreement without having a work stoppage was Feb 1, 2022. 

A few of the key items reported include:

 

Investment in Players

  • Minimum salaries will increase to $35,000 (60% increase); all players will received salary increases
  • Compensation for housing, transportation, retirement contributions, heath/life/disability insurance
  • Average total compensation will increase to $54,000 (30% increase)
  • Revenue sharing, with 10% of net broadcast revenue (if league is profitable in years 3, 4, and 5 of the CBA)

 

Free Agency

Official free agency for players in the NWSL will begin in 2023 with a transition to Unrestricted and Restricted Free Agency in 2024.

2023

  • Players with six (6) years of service in the NWSL will receive full Unrestricted Free Agency

2024

  • Players with five (5) years of server in the NWSL will receive Unrestricted Free Agency
  • Players with three (3) years of service in the NWSL will receive Restricted Free Agency

 

Defined Season

  • Players will be give a fixed season with a specific start and end window
  • A season will have a maximum number of games in a season
  • Players are guaranteed 42 days of vacation
  • Players will receive a seven-day in-season break

 

Health and Wellness

  • League will employ the following:
    • Medical Director
  • Teams will employ the following:
    • Team Physician,
    • Massage Therapist,
    • Sports Scientist,
    • Sports Psychologist,
    • Mental Health Clinician
  • Players will receive parental leave (new birth or adoption)
  • Mental health leave for up to 6 months for players who need it

 

Licensing

  • NWSL will commit $255,000 - $300,000 in group licensing rights