National Women's Soccer League Players Association

The National Women's Soccer League Players Association (often known as NWSL Players Association or NWSLPA) is the officially recognized union of players in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).[1]

NWSL Players Association
National Women's Soccer League Players Association
FormationMay 2017 (2017-05)
Websitewww.nwslplayers.com

History

The NWSLPA was formed in May 2017 under the leadership of Yael Averbuch[2] and represented by lawyer and former WPS player Meghann Burke.[3][4][5] The NWSLPA officially unionized in November 2018.[6][7]

Until the end of the 2021 season, the NWSLPA membership excluded United States federation players because those players were contracted with the US Soccer Federation (USSF) for their play in the NWSL.[8] In December 2021, the USSF and the union representing the U.S. national team (USWNT) agreed to end the NWSL federation players system, which means that USWNT players playing in the NWSL are now contracted directly to their NWSL teams and that those players will also be represented in their club employment by the NWSLPA.[8]

Leadership

As of February 2022, the NWSLPA is led by executive director Meghann Burke and president Tori Huster.[9] The executive team is advised by an advisory board and a group of player representatives of two players per each NWSL team.

Awards
Main article: NWSL Players' Awards

The NWSL Players Association began awarding its own NWSL Players' Awards, voted on by the players of the NWSL, in 2019.[10] These awards are considered one of the major end-of-season awards for NWSL players alongside the league's own awards.[11][12] As there are often differences between the league's own awards and the NWSL Players' Awards, many NWSL players consider the NWSL Players' Awards to be more prestigious as they are decided by only players themselves.[13][14] The inaugural edition of the NWSL Players' Awards included three categories: Players' Player of the Year, Players' Rookie of the Year, and Players' Team of the Year.

References
  1. "Non-allocated NWSL players take step toward forming union". Sports Illustrated. Associated Press. May 15, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  2. Murray, Caitlin (May 15, 2017). "What does the new NWSL Players Association mean for players and the league?". Fox Sports. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  3. "NWSL players form Players Association". Sounder at Heart. May 15, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  4. Megdal, Howard (May 15, 2017). "NWSL Players Have Unionized". Vice Sports. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  5. "INTERVIEW: BURKE LEADS NEW US UNION". FIF Pro. May 16, 2017. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  6. Megdal, Howard. "Yael Averbuch, NWSLPA President, Weighs In On Historic Day For Union". Forbes. Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  7. Kassouf, Jeff. "NWSLPA becomes legally recognized as union, opening doors to further improvements – Equalizer Soccer". Retrieved January 16, 2020.
  8. Kassouf, Jeff (December 13, 2021). "USWNT, USSF sign MOU to extend CBA to March 31, abolish NWSL allocation system". The Equalizer. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  9. "Who We Are".
  10. Cattry, Pardeep (October 18, 2019). "Sam Kerr named first NWSL Players Association player of the year". Pro Soccer USA. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  11. Anderson, Jason (October 24, 2019). "Rose Lavelle, Aubrey Bledsoe represent Washington Spirit on 2019 NWSL Best XI". Black and Red United. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  12. Olney, Charles (October 26, 2019). "What the heck happened with the NWSL Best XI?". Backline Soccer. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  13. Linehan, Megan (October 26, 2019). "Courage, Red Stars players offer honest assessments and express frustrations on media day". The Athletic. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  14. Yang, Stephanie (October 26, 2019). "Crystal Dunn is tired y'all". All for XI. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
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