Sports world reacts to NWSL’s landmark CBA

The NWSL and the NWSLPA announced Monday that they had ratified the league’s first-ever CBA, with the support pouring in on Twitter from players, coaches and more.

Yael Averbuch West, who was one of the players who helped initially launch the NWSLPA in 2017, called it a “coming of age” for women’s professional soccer in the United States. West was a major leader of the NWSLPA. She later joined the NWSL’s CBA Committee after being named general manager of NJ/NY Gotham FC.

“It’s not The League vs. The Players,” she wrote. “The relationship is symbiotic and as one entity strengthens, it strengthens the whole.

“We cannot have a successful and powerful NWSL without successful and powerful players.”

A few thoughts about the first-ever CBA between @NWSL and @nwsl_players: pic.twitter.com/aBBykpjAHE

— Yael Averbuch West (@Yael_Averbuch) February 1, 2022

OL Reign’s Bethany Balcer said that she’s “proud of everything” in the CBA. She then added that the six months of paid mental health leave “hits home” because “it means players don’t have to be forced to show up everyday when they feel the weight of anxiety and depression.”

i’m proud of everything in the CBA & indebted to our lawyers & the @nwsl_players for fighting for us. what hits home for me is the 6 month paid mental health leave b/c it means players don’t have to be forced to show up everyday when they feel the weight of anxiety and depression

— Bethany Balcer (@bethanybalcer) February 1, 2022

Gotham FC head coach Scott Parkinson said he “couldn’t be more proud” of everyone involved in the negotiations.

“It’s a great day for our sport, our players and our league. For today and many years to come.”

Couldn’t be more proud of the players, NWSLPA, Meghann and our very own Imani and McCall. I’m bursting with pride!

It’s a great day for our sport, our players and our league. For today and many years to come 💙 https://t.co/ihQYHHg1Tj

— Scott Parkinson (@parkinson_scott) February 1, 2022

The PHF Players’ Association called it a “historic accomplishment.”

“Thank you for continuing the fight towards equity and for all you’ve accomplished thus far!”

A huge congratulations to @nwsl_players for this historic accomplishment! Thank you for continuing the fight towards equity and for all you’ve accomplished thus far! #PlayersSupportingPlayers https://t.co/vPbe5GmHT2

— Players’ Association of the PHF (@nwhlpa) February 1, 2022

Goalkeeper Michelle Betos called it “an honor of all the players that have come before us” while adding that it “might’ve been the best thing we could ever do for the next generation of women in this game.”

This is an honor of all the players that have come before us, provides for and protects all the players that are in it now, and might’ve been the best thing we could ever do for the next generation of women in this game. https://t.co/ZMj1jqAEz6

— Michelle Betos (@MichelleBetos) February 1, 2022

OL Reign’s Nikki Stanton said that it has “been a long time coming.”

What an incredible moment 💜 Been a long time coming. Thank you to the @nwsl_players and everyone who put in endless hours to make this happen! https://t.co/yBhU3eLwEG

— Nikki Stanton (@GutiNikki7) February 1, 2022

The WNBPA thanked the NWSLPA for their efforts, saying “we are proud of your commitment & resolve.”

Congratulations to our colleagues in soccer @nwsl_players!
We are proud of your commitment & resolve. Thank you for your efforts here to advance the labor movement!#PlayersSupportingPlayers -that’s real! @USWNTPlayers @nwhlpa @TheNBPA @NFLPA @MLBPA @MLSPA @USARugbyPlayers @PWHPA https://t.co/8VDw4IketK

— WNBPA (@TheWNBPA) February 1, 2022