NWSL follows USL Super League decision to eliminate draft

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the Players Association have agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The previous deal was not going to expire until 2026, but the two sides were eager to strike an agreement. According to ESPN, early negotiations were tied to the league’s current broadcasting deal.

NWSL officials wanted the new CBA’s expiration date to be after the end of the current media rights deal. The broadcasting deal, which was just agreed before the 2024 season, is set to expire in 2028. The new CBA now extends through 2030.

Some of the biggest changes in the new CBA include total free agency, a higher salary cap, and a significant raise in minimum salaries. Contracts are also now guaranteed, and trades will have to be approved by the player involved. Another positive alteration for the players is expanded parental leave and additional childcare benefits.

Outside of the NWSL, AC Milan recently guaranteed contract extensions for players who become pregnant during the last season of their deals. It is the first such guarantee of any European club.

NWSL adopts multiple CBA changes previously seen in the USL Super League

The exact timing of the announcement is particularly interesting considering the USL Super League season has just begun. U.S. Soccer previously sanctioned the newly formed USL Super League as a D1 professional women’s soccer division. As a result, it has essentially become a direct rival to the NWSL.

Before beginning their inaugural campaign, USL Super League officials declared that their players would have guaranteed contracts. The new division also decided that they would not have an official draft either. NWSL officials have now axed their draft as well in the new CBA.

NWSL execs claim that they did not copy the USL Super League by updating their CBA ahead of schedule. Nevertheless, it certainly seems that way. The USL Super League kicked off the 2024 campaign on August 17th….

Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/nwsl-follows-usl-super-league-decision-to-eliminate-draft/

Author : Chris Moore

Publish date : 2024-08-22 15:10:42

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.