As the NWSL Players Association continues to fight for the league’s first CBA, former Rookie of the Year and OL Reign forward Bethany Balcer has given some insight into the system.
“Why is equal pay important?” Balcer wrote on Twitter. “I got a $50 gift card to chipotle for winning rookie of the year in 2019. That’s it.”
why is equal pay important? i got a $50 gift card to chipotle for winning rookie of the year in 2019. that's it. we need a CBA in this league and we need to move forward, not backwards— Bethany Balcer (@bethanybalcer) September 21, 2021
why is equal pay important? i got a $50 gift card to chipotle for winning rookie of the year in 2019. that's it. we need a CBA in this league and we need to move forward, not backwards
She then revealed that the gift card was sent from the players association and not the league.
fun fact the gift card was actually from our PA not the league🥲 pic.twitter.com/qrHB3rW3zz— Bethany Balcer (@bethanybalcer) September 22, 2021
fun fact the gift card was actually from our PA not the league🥲 pic.twitter.com/qrHB3rW3zz
With the NWSL in the midst of a tumultuous season that has included multiple firings as well as questions over player safety, the calls for a CBA have only increased. The NWSLPA launched a No More Side Hustles campaign this season to highlight how much hasn’t changed from the league’s beginnings.