Roundup: The NWSL’s Second Go at Free Agency

Taylor Vincent
Taylor Vincent, Resident NWSL ExpertMay 01, 2024
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A Changing Free Agency

Compared to the 2023 to 2024 offseason where the NWSL’s version of free agency was introduced, there were three big differences that impacted free agency in the 2023-24 offseason. 

First, for unrestricted free agents—think traditional free agency—the required years of service were reduced from six down to five, creating a bigger pool of players. 

Second, the NWSL introduced a new process, restricted free agency, which would apply to players with three or four years of service where said player could negotiate with other teams, but the originating team would have seven days to match the offer. If the originating team doesn’t make an offer to a restricted free agent by New Years Eve, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Third, there was a NWSL Expansion Draft. During an Expansion Draft, teams are able to protect nine players from being picked by one of the expansion sides or to avoid the process, teams trade with the expansion team for protection in the draft. If teams sign free agents before the draft or gaining protection it either impacts who you are able to protect or gives the expansion side more leverage when negotiating for protection. 

Trends versus 2022-23

There were 75 free agents between unrestricted and restricted free agency in the 2023-24 offseason as compared to 45 free agents in the 2022-23 offseason. Whereas in the first year of free agency players largely stayed with their originating team, this past offseason saw a significant increase in players using the newfound freedom to switch teams. In year one, there were almost twice as many players staying with their previous team compared to an almost even split in year two. 


Contract Length also saw changes this season, while the ratio between 1 or 1+1 year contracts and 2+ year contracts stayed at 1:2, there was the introduction of shorter contracts for players switching teams and because of the increase in player movement a larger percentage of the 2+ year contracts were from players switching teams. 

One other change that did indirectly affect free agency was the NWSL extending the maximum contract length a player is allowed to sign up to five years. The below table shows the overall breakdown of all contracts signed by free agents. The biggest bucket which saw a dramatic increase was contracts 3 years long, while there were two 3+1 year contracts—Angel City FC defender Sarah Gorden and Houston Dash forward Maria Sanchez (now playing for San Diego)—and there was one five year contract—Chicago Red Stars forward Mal Swanson. 

Before looking into team breakdowns for the 2023-24 offseason, here is the summary of how teams did in the 2022-23 offseason as a reference:

Breaking Down 2023-24 Free Agency Per Team

Overall, 51 out of the 75 free agents signed with teams over the offseason, and nine players officially announced their retirement from professional soccer ahead of the 2024 season starting. Free agency is just one mechanism for attaining player’s, teams also use the Under 18 mechanism for youth players, draft collegiate players, transfer players from other leagues, trade within the NWSL, or sign free agents from other leagues to make up their roster composition. 

Most Active: NJ/NY Gotham FC

Once again, NJNY Gotham FC was the most active in signing free agents this offseason, re-signing three free agents from its NWSL Championship winning roster, and adding in five additional players including: Crystal Dunn, Rose Lavelle, Emily Sonnett, Tierna Davidson, and Ella Stevens. Only time will tell if the offseason movement has paid off as Gotham currently has 12 players on the injury report in some form or another and currently sits in 11th place out of 14 teams in the table, with only one win in six matches. 

Most Players Lost: Chicago Red Stars

In back-to-back years, the Chicago Red Stars have had the most players originating from their team sign with new teams. That being said, the other offseason acquisitions and Mal Swanson’s resigning has left Chicago in a good place as they sit fifth in the table six matches into the 2024 season. With the new ownership, coaching, and front office staff, it would be surprising to see a similar trend in the upcoming offseason. 

Least Active in Free Agency: Racing Louisville

Racing has done a good job consistently managing their roster to limit any potential player losses due to free agency. In the 2023 season, they gave extensions to three players who would’ve become unrestricted free agents. They also have been fairly successful in their international player signings, requiring less stress on the free agency mechanism as a part of their roster building. 


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