National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) general managers overwhelmingly believe that recent player reforms have gone too far. The league and the Players Association recently agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). The previous deal was not going to expire until 2026, but the two sides wanted an expedited deal.
The new six-year deal incorporates some fairly significant changes. This includes introducing total free agency, a higher salary cap, and a significant raise in minimum salaries. Player drafts are also no more under the new CBA and the league fully guarantees contracts. Trades require approval from the players involved as well. Parental leave and childcare benefits have also expanded.
The updated CBA, as well as other recent reforms, are in direct correlation with a previous sexual misconduct and abuse scandal. The NWSL suffered back in 2021 when serious allegations surfaced across several teams. As a result, half of the league’s teams fired their head coaches, or they resigned. Lisa Baird, the division’s previous commissioner, also stepped down from the role as well.
NWSL exec says reforms have led to a “very stressful” work environment
Although reforms were undoubtedly necessary, NWSL team general managers collectively say that “the pendulum has swung too far the other way.” ESPN recently conducted an anonymous survey of execs from every NWSL team. According to the report, every single general manager claimed that players essentially have too much power.
“I think it’s still a very stressful place for staff,” claimed one GM. “I think you have to be very calculated in every conversation, every interaction that you have with athletes. We have to err on the side of extremely positive or conservative policies that I think in any other professional or corporate environment wouldn’t really necessarily exist.”
ESPN spoke individually with the team executives under the condition of anonymity. Recent…
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Author : Chris Moore
Publish date : 2024-09-10 16:18:28
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