Better salaries and control for female soccer players in the United States

Thanks to the new collective agreement, professional soccer players in the United States will have more control over their future careers and will also earn more money than before.

Starting next season, NWSL professionals can no longer be transferred against their will. The NWSL is also the first major professional league in the United States to eliminate the draft — giving players significantly more control after graduation over which team they begin their careers with.

Under the new rules, the minimum wage will also rise from around $38,000 (€34,100) to $48,500 (€43,600) – and by the end of the new decade in 2030 to $82,500 (€74,100).

NWSL's growing popularity

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There is no salary cap for individual players; the salary cap for entire teams increases with their income. Salary is also guaranteed for the duration of the contract. This is all made possible by the collective agreement agreed upon between the NWSLPA and the National Women’s Soccer League that replaces the current contract, which is effectively in effect for two years.

“The draft is an old model that gave teams the ability to select female players,” said Tori Hoster, president of the NWSLPA. “Now players can choose the environment that best suits their needs and maximizes their opportunities. Teams will need to strive to create an environment that is attractive to female players.”

Women’s sports are booming and the National Women’s Soccer League is growing rapidly in popularity. Last November, the league re-allocated its TV rights and acquired extensive partners with CBS Sports, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video and Scripps Sports. According to US media, the deal will bring the league $240 million over four years (€215 million) – a huge jump from the previous $4.5 million over three years.