NWSL Players Ask for Free Agency Under Poor Salary Conditions

Less than two months after their season ended, National Women’s Soccer League players are calling for free agency.

Currently, players do not have a say in what franchise they belong to or where they’ll be traded because the league has not agreed to a collective bargaining agreement with the players. Even Alex Morgan, the third-highest-paid female soccer player as of this year, was traded last week.

• Wherever players land, earnings continue to be a concern.
• A majority of the league’s players earn less than a living wage, with about one-third making just $22,000.

Julie Foudy, former USWNT player and Angel City FC co-owner, told Business Insider she doesn’t “think it’s a survivable, viable model.”

Angel City FC will join next year for the league’s 10th season, along with San Diego FC, for a total of 12 teams.

Free Agency Outlook

Under free agency, players would be able to choose which team they play with for a certain period, similar to the WNBA and MLS versions, which both require players to play five years before entertaining other offers.

USWNT’s Ashlyn Harris, who was traded in the last few weeks, says that until the league can offer larger contracts, “free agency is important.”