Photo Copyright Kirby Lee for USA TODAY Sports
History was made on Thursday as the National Women’s Soccer League and its Players Association announced a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that will be in place through 2030.
Chief among the changes is the elimination of both the college and expansion drafts, effective immediately. While the lack of a college draft isn’t new to soccer, it’s a major moment for the NWSL. The league is now the first in major league pro sports in the U.S. to eliminate a collegiate draft.
It might not be an entirely surprising move for those who have been following the NWSL for a while. Back in December, criticisms arose around the expansion draft from players and coaches.
At the time, Sean Nahas of the North Carolina Courage and Laura Harvey of the Seattle Reign condemned the draft over the lack of control given to players and existing teams. Harvey said that she “disliked” the expansion draft while Nahas even went as far as saying that “there needs to be another…
