The U.S. women’s national team and U.S. Soccer Federation have agreed to end the NWSL allocation system, allowing players to sign directly with NWSL teams and have their salaries paid by their respective clubs.
Since the NWSL launched in 2013, USSF had been paying the salaries of select USWNT players within the NWSL.
The agreement goes into effect immediately, with teams able to sign players directly for the upcoming 2022 season. Players who choose to sign with the NWSL will become members of the NWSLPA and have more flexibility in their club careers, the USWNT Players Association said Monday.
USWNTPA statement regarding MOU with USSF to extend current CBA and dissolve NWSL Allocation System. pic.twitter.com/31eGIumL6W— USWNT Players (@USWNTPlayers) December 13, 2021
USWNTPA statement regarding MOU with USSF to extend current CBA and dissolve NWSL Allocation System. pic.twitter.com/31eGIumL6W
In addition, the USWNT and the USSF have agreed to extend the current collective bargaining agreement through at least March 31, 2022, giving the sides more time to negotiate.
“We remain committed to good faith negotiations,” the USWNTPA wrote in a statement. “But we will ensure that our players and our fans know when USSF is misrepresenting what is happening in our discussions.”
In a statement, the USSF continued to encourage the USWNT and the USMNT to come together and agree on a joint path forward.
The Chicago Red Stars have already signed their USWNT players to contracts, with Tierna Davidson, Casey Krueger, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Pugh agreeing to multi-year contracts in early December.