Earlier, the U.S. Soccer approved Divisional I sanctioning for the USL Super League, a new league challenging the NWSL. With different investment opportunities in the U.S., the league aims to become the next superpower league in the U.S. Hence, USL president, Amanda Vandervort, remains motivated to make the league better than the NWSL. With merger rumors in the open between the two leagues, Amanda laid those rumors to rest by mistakenly blurting out their plans.

She stated, “No, our goal is to build a long-term sustainable professional women’s soccer league where players, you know, excel at the highest level. And it supports the development of our national team.”

Thus, those plans are now down the drain, one might say. Yet, the merger of both the women’s soccer leagues would attract new players and investments. Yet, Amanda Vandervort wants to keep it separate. She wants to make it bigger and better.

She continued, “I think you know I commend the NWSL. I think they’ve come a long way. Obviously, they’re doing great. Now, that’s not the only option. Now there are other options to invest and to build your career as a professional and for some players, and for some people, each model is going to offer its value and its benefits,” according to womensgamemib.

It came as a surprise addition to the already existing NWSL. Although the USL Super League does not have broadcasting rights, the men’s league does with CBS Sports. Therefore, it won’t be long for them to acquire fruitful broadcasting rights. Amanda also stated that they will have “at least 150 professional jobs” for new players.

USL Super League – a growing threat to NWSL?

With no strong decisions made on player recruitment, they can poach players from the NWSL if they offer excellent wages. Likewise, the NWSL’s expansion fees go through the roof. Teams pay almost $50 million to bring in new franchises via expansion. In terms of the USL Super League, they have lesser expansion fees which might prove perfect for most investors.

They also don’t have drafts, as Amanda Vandervort stated, “Our players can negotiate freely with whatever club they choose to before signing a contract…. Upon the end of their contracts. They’re free to negotiate with whomever they choose in the U.S. or abroad.” 

This becomes a deal breaker for some.

With Vandervort subtly blurting out the merger plans between the two leagues, everyone remains tight-lipped. It looks like the two leagues won’t merge and they will battle it out on top for supremacy. If one or two players start making moves, there could be a chain reaction. Do you think they should merge, though?