The NWSL and its players union have agreed to terms on a new collective bargaining agreement, according to multiple people with direct knowledge of the process, a move that will keep labor peace in the league through at least 2030.
The new accord, approved by league owners in the last few weeks, will follow the current deal, which expires following the 2026 season, said the people, who were granted anonymity because the details are private. Some elements, however, will take effect sooner.
It includes higher compensation for athletes and more freedom of player movement, the sources said, notable progress for players in a league that held its first free agency period just two years ago. For owners, the agreement ensures labor peace well past their next major media negotiations, stability that will prove valuable in a few years as those conversations begin.
Representatives for the league and the NWSLPA declined to comment.
Though specific details aren’t immediately apparent, new labor accords are a significant milestone in every league. That’s especially true for the NWSL now, given the rapid change in valuations and public interest that the NWSL has seen in recent years. In January 2022, when the current deal was signed, most NWSL franchises were valued in the single-digit millions. Now the average team is worth $66 million, according to Sportico’s numbers. The San Diego Wave sold earlier this year for $113 million; Willow Bay and Bob Iger are buying a control stake in Angel City FC in a $250 million deal.
That appreciation has been noticed by players, and could possibly have set the stage for a labor fight. Accelerated commercial growth is also occurring in the WNBA, and most expect the league’s players to opt out of their current CBA as soon as they can in order to push for better terms. WNBPA boss Terri Carmichael Jackson offered a preview of those talks last month when she accused the NBA of undervaluing the WNBA in its most recent media talks.
Labor negotiations in the major U.S. leagues typically happen more publicly, so the NWSL stands in stark contrast to those processes. It’s also uncommon for deals to be struck this far away from the expiration of a labor accord.
The current five-year CBA was the first in NWSL history, and it was signed after a league-wide abuse scandal nearly derailed talks. Running through the 2026 season, the agreement was announced as an incremental investment by owners of “nearly $100 million.” That came in the form of increased player salaries—the minimum pay jumped almost 60% to $35,000—with additional benefits such as housing, transportation, healthcare, life insurance, 401(k) options, expanded bonuses and compensation to players for commercial appearances.
It also called for players to receive 10% of net broadcast revenues “if the league is profitable in years 3, 4, and 5” of the term. (To Sportico‘s knowledge, this has not yet happened). Perhaps most notably, it introduced free agency ahead of the 2023 season.
Since that deal was reached, the league signed a new series of TV deals that will net $240 million over four years. That number includes production and other costs borne by the league, but regardless of the accounting, it is a big increase from the prior agreement with CBS. Those deals expire at the end of the 2027 season, so this new labor deal should also ensure that the league enters the next round of media negotiations without any concerns about labor disruptions.