Apr 9, 2025
Asheville, N.C. — The National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) has published the complete text of its 2024–2030 Collective Bargaining Agreement, available now at nwslplayers.com
The August 2024 announcement of the CBA, ratified on July 30, 2024, made headlines with wins that raised the bar for what Players can expect from a career in this league. Those include:
Eliminating the NWSL Draft
Establishing free agency for all players
Protecting players from being traded without their consent
Securing guaranteed contracts
Safeguarding player health through workload management
Creating a revenue-sharing model that more closely aligns player compensation with the league’s continued growth
But those headlines only scratch the surface. The full CBA shows how this deal supports every part of a player’s life on and off the field.
Here are some of the gains you might have missed:
- Family-Building Benefits: Financial support for IVF, egg freezing, adoption, and surrogacy.
- Player Data Rights: Transparency around data collection, usage, and player consent.
- Locality-Based Housing Support: Housing stipends tied to real market costs.
- Limited Reopener Clause: Economic terms can be revisited if league revenues surge.
- Player Appearance Protections: Limits, opt-outs, and fair compensation for commercial use.
- Childcare & Caregiving Support: Increased stipends and travel reimbursements.
- Mental Health Resources: Strengthened provisions around protected leave.
“This agreement is structurally sound and built to last,” said Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the NWSLPA. “It reflects years of deep work; listening to players, anticipating where the league is going, and making sure the rights we fought for are enforceable. This isn’t just a CBA for women’s soccer. It’s a new benchmark for what professional athletes should expect in any sport.”
“The CBA was shaped by player-led priorities at every step. We bargained for a future where players aren’t forced to choose between a career and starting a family, between peak performance and mental health, or between short-term contracts and long-term stability,” said Tori Huster, Deputy Executive Director of the NWSLPA.
“This agreement is the product of collective strength, built by players who knew their worth and demanded more,” said Haley Hopkins, President of the NWSLPA. We bargained for more than better contracts—we bargained for a better future. And now, every player, fan, and young girl watching knows exactly what that future looks like.”
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