The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and its players have reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement that eliminates the draft, guarantees all contracts, provides parental leave and child care benefits and promises more money to players.
The deal, which extends the current contract with the NWSL Players Association by four years, does not include a maximum salary; the minimum salary will increase from $48,500 in 2025 to $82,500 in 2030, the final year of the new deal. It includes a base salary cap of $3.3 million per team in 2025, rising to $5.1 million in 2030, but also a revenue-sharing model that could further increase the cap.
Mental health services and mental health leave policies will be expanded, and charter flights will be allowed for up to six trips per season. Medical and training teams will also be strengthened.
“The NWSL has prioritized conditions to ensure the league can attract, develop and retain the most talented players in the world,” said Tatjana Haenni, Chief Sporting Officer. “Soccer is a unique global sport with roots in every country, and the new agreement allows us to offer the most elite training and playing environment in the world, giving players the opportunity to succeed in the world’s top domestic and international competitions.”
The league said nearly all end-of-season competition prizes — such as those awarded for the NWSL Shield, NWSL Championship and Golden Boot — will double starting in 2027. The NWSL Women’s Player of the Year prize will quadruple.
The deal also brings the NWSL owners into compliance with FIFA transfer rules, which require player consent for all transactions, whether intra- or inter-league. Players will enjoy complete freedom.
The deal also provides for more games per year and promises to make the players more accessible to fans and media.
“Given our ambition to be the best league in the world, we felt the time was right to align with global standards and achieve long-term social peace,” said Jessica Berman, NWSL Commissioner. “Our new agreement revolutionizes the sport, raises standards and innovates in business.”