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SALT LAKE CITY — The NWSL Players Association announced Monday that a new collective bargaining agreement had been reached with the league, and will go into effect immediately.
The biggest news in the agreement is the elimination of the entry draft — the traditional path taken by college players — and the expansion draft, where new teams were able to select players from the league's existing clubs.
The Utah Royals were major participants in both drafts last year, selecting rising star Ally Sentnor with the No. 1 overall pick in the entry draft, and team captain Paige Monaghan with the No. 4 pick in the expansion draft.
"The draft is an antiquated model that treats people as property to be bought and sold," the NWSLPA release said. "The new terms will empower players to decide which team environment is the best fit for their needs and their development."
Some said a CBA like this would never happen. #WeSaidNow. The Players just secured freedom over their careers and made history as the first American major pro sport to eliminate the draft.
— NWSLPA (@nwsl_players) August 22, 2024
Player freedom secured. Read more about our new CBA via link in bio. #wesaidnowpic.twitter.com/3gXeEcwxlD
Several Utah players participated in the bargaining talks, including Imani Dorsey, Addisyn Merrick, Madison Pogarch and Sandy native Michele Vasconcelos.
"A lot of work went on behind the scenes to make this happen," Pogarch said in an Instagram post. "Some said a CBA like this would never happen."
Other parts of the new CBA have all NWSL players becoming free agents when their current contracts expire, guaranteed contracts to prevent the league from terminating player contracts prior to the end of their term, and no trades without player consent.
The new CBA will be in place through 2030.
