Soccer in the USA beckons a turning point at this moment. NWSL, unlike any other league, is experiencing repeated innovations as they have now agreed on a Collective Bargaining Agreement with its Players Association. Despite all the viewership and aesthetic enhancement, the players’ welfare has become paramount. Multiple reformers are expected in the league. This includes the removal of the draft upon the CBA agreement to ensure that women athletes get their due. However, Olympic gold medal winner Sam Coffey indicated it’s not the end of the transformation.

Speaking at a press conference with the Portland Thorns, “I think it’s historic. I think players are finally getting what they deserve and thank you to the PA for all the work that they do. The player representatives, Meg Burke, Kelsey Davis, I mean there’s a million other names you can mention,” stated the Thorns midfielder, expressing gratitude.

“I think it’s exciting as young players in this league as well, to have this moment and celebrate it. But to also know we have so much more we’re still fighting for. I think there are still so many steps to go and strides we can make,” she added, revealing the determination to keep improving the process.

Currently, the signing of CBA means that the draft system is removed from NWSL’s recruitment system. Players will be allowed to deal with the clubs directly to sign for them. The players’ free agency will start from September 1st this season but July 1st from the next season suggests reports.

The deal is also expected to standardize infrastructure and procedures to make it seamless for the players. Salary caps of the players are expected to increase significantly with base salary steeping higher from next year. However, there are a few things that still need some push.

What next for the league after CBA as Sam Coffey hinted?

The 2023 World Cup was reported to be one of the factors that triggered the step from NWSL.  The league discussed with the Player’s Association the need to improve standards. The aim is also to attract the best players worldwide apart from securing the right environment for the athletes. This was an issue as most of them were choosing leagues in Europe, where there was more freedom. However, the aim of the players as Sam Coffey said, could now be to ensure more justice, more favorable conditions, and increased benchmarks in the league.

The league has already made significant progress for itself. Striking a $240 million deal with 4 media giants to broadcast the games, NWSL also grew by two more teams this season. Bringing franchises from Salt Lake City and San Francisco it is expected to have 16 by 2026. The league has been filled with reforms and the USWNT is back to dominance in international soccer. Hence, it is only onward and upward for women’s soccer as Coffey expects.