On Friday, the NWSL announced new salary guidelines for its forthcoming 2020 season. They include an increase to the overall salary cap, along with higher maximum and minimum salaries. The league also announced that it would implement a system of allocation money, similar to what’s currently in place in Major League Soccer. At a time when the US Women’s National Team has been embroiled in a legal battle with US Soccer, it’s a step forward in getting women’s soccer players paid what they deserve.
The NWSL’s salaries are still relatively low on the global scale: earlier this week, news broke that Sam Kerr, the NWSL’s reigning MVP, would leave the Chicago Red Stars to play the game in Europe.
At SB Nation, Kim McCauley explored the increased salary cap in light of the NWSL’s other plans — including expansion to a number of new cities in the coming years. “NWSL will also have multiple-year contracts for the first time,” she wrote. “These rule changes, after seven years of risk-averse management, suggest the league believes it finally has stable footing.”
What’s responsible for this? McCauley argues convincingly that this year’s World Cup placed both the league and many of its star players in the spotlight.
The NWSL’s history up until this point have included wildly mixed degrees of success for teams throughout the league, as well as a number of teams being relocated. That’s also made it difficult to retain high-profile players, something the new salary guidelines address.
McCauley’s article includes quotes from a number of team owners, and abounds with solid analysis of where the league is headed. It’s a good time to be optimistic about the NWSL — something that hasn’t always been the case.
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