As NWSL teams returned to action after the Olympics, players showed up for their games in T-shirts with one message: “We Said Now.”
It was a victory lap for the U.S. top flight’s players after completing their latest collective bargaining agreement with the league, one in which they secured several important guarantees. Among guarantees of more money through revenue sharing and increased benefits, one feature stood out: no trades without a player’s consent.
Trades are a part of American sports, but in NWSL, there have been several instances of players publicly expressing dismay over a deal they didn’t see coming. Gotham FC forward Lynn Williams said in 2023 that she found out about her trade from the Kansas City Current about two hours before it happened — while she was away on international duty in New Zealand. Bay FC defender Alexis Loera called her trade from the Current last November “disheartening” and said she hadn’t been expecting it, after expressing a desire to stay with Kansas City.
Today, we showed up and showed out for our union sisters!
The @NWSL_players just shattered the status quo– empowering athletes like never before. This is how we change the game and build a better future for everyone. #wesaidnow pic.twitter.com/nOY3MSZsLA
— AFL-CIO…
