NWSL‘s initiatives cannot stop getting better. The premier soccer league for women in the USA has once again shown why they are rising in popularity amid increasing interest in the Beautiful Game. While the season resumed this week after a month and a half of break due to the Olympics, the league has suddenly switched gears signing a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) contract with the players. Although this has raised a few uncertainties about how it could shape up, the benefits associated with it are much appreciable to the relief of women athletes feels San Diego Wave striker Alex Morgan.

Speaking in an interview with Good Morning America, Morgan emphasized how this move will be a game-changer. She stated, “I’m really proud of this part of our contract, we’re able to now travel with our children and bring child care provider but also look at the Future planning as well for our families.” citing certain facilities for women such fertility clinics and other resources which are not common in other competitions.

She continued saying, “So we had to think outside of the box and look at protecting and supporting moms as much as possible.” Things become difficult for women athletes to manage their children and play the sport, hence the CBA contract provides childcare benefits and also provisions for paternal leave making it easier for players. However, it solves a few other puzzles for players as they get more power in terms of choice.

The agreement reached will remove the draft system where players were picked from college by the franchises directly. Now the players will have the choice to choose the team they play for. With improved medical services apart from widened mental health services, the players are also expected to see a spike in pay and bonuses including the Shield Cup-winning teams as the years pass. But the main focus is on creating an environment that is friendly for players claims Morgan.

NWSL’s creativity can inspire other leagues, feels Alex Morgan

Focusing on the wellness of the fraternity and players the CBA contract could be the NWSL’s most important innovation. Hence Alex Morgan feels that other leagues in the US that lack such policies can learn from this. She also said, “I think that what we’re doing is making changes that put a little bit of the power back in the players and I could definitely see some other leagues looking toward the NWSL and seeing how we attained these benefits within our contract and how they could do that.” While leagues including the MLS and other sporting tournaments gain a lot of interest, a player-centric approach can do wonders for the health of the sport.

Meanwhile, this was not the first move that was out of the box by the National Women’s Soccer League. Earlier it struck a mega broadcasting deal worth $240 million across four various media giants and later advanced aesthetically bringing a cultural touch to the jerseys of various teams. But, with all the plans through the contract, can NSWL become one of the best leagues in the World? Let us know in the comments.