New CBA
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) must have read my previous article about the status of their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations with the player’s union. Last night, the two sides reportedly put pen to paper and signed the league’s first-ever deal of this nature. These types of contracts are never easy to agree to terms on. This one was particularly difficult because they did not have one to model it after. Let us take a closer look at the CBA.
A big question regarding these negotiations was surrounding the players and the free agency process. The agreement states that athletes with six or more years of experience will be allowed to be unrestricted free agents after their contracts expire in 2023. This will be lowered to five the following season. Players with less than three years of service can become free agents as well, but will only be considered restricted. Athletes who are waived will receive four weeks of severance pay as well as a month’s worth of housing and health costs.
The players also got a raise as a result of this CBA. The new league minimum salary was raised to $35,000 per year. This is a 60% increase from what it currently is. Athletes also got more in terms of housing, health, and retirements benefits among many other items. A big one is regarding the six months of paid mental health leave. This is incredibly important in today’s society with all the pressure in the world.
These are just some of the many bright spots for players and their loved ones.
How It Got Done
Many things got this deal done. The player’s association did their part to the best of their abilities, but they cannot take all the credit. The group that deserves at least 90 percent of that is the players themselves. They were the ones who spoke out about the mistreatment they received throughout the years. The athletes led the charge in taking legal action against US Soccer over unequal pay. They also made protests during this season regarding the pay issue as well as the NWSL inaction on multiple instances of abuse directed at its athletes. What probably got the CBA signed was their threat to not report to team camps in February.
The NWSL followed my advice. They fought tooth and nail for the best deal they could get, then ultimately folded on the final day of January. All of the actions the players have taken just in this last year have showcased how far they are willing to go in this fight. I am assuming the league decided to cut its losses and hope for a better foundation for which to begin the next CBA negotiations. This might have been the smartest move the NWSL has ever made in my opinion. I am sure its players, as well as its fans, would agree with me on that statement.
Closing Thoughts
This article was published on the Belly Up Sports website and specifically its Soccer page. Belly Up Sports also has a Twitter page where you can interact with the network. I also have written for this outlet before so see my most recent story if you would like. If you would like to talk to me directly, feel free to chat with me on my Twitter as well. Try to keep it clean and proper. If you are incapable of doing so, ignore that completely and battle it out with me. Just a few warnings for those who dare challenge me. I am highly competitive and hate to admit when I am wrong. So be prepared for a war of words.
