Livida Sport: A Global Guide to Football Transfers - Second Edition - Manual / Resource - Page 67
USA
NWSL
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The NWSL is now one of the most well-established women’s professional leagues in the
world and top destination for North American talent. Founded in 2012, the league
consists of 14 teams (expanding to 16 for the 25/26 season), with each team playing 26
regular season games before the top eight qualify for the playoffs. The winners of the
playoffs are crowned champions of the NWSL. The league enjoys consistently high
attendance and fan engagement levels. And the NWSL benefits from strong commercial
partnerships and, in recent years, has brokered unique sponsorships and media deals,
including partnerships with CBS and Paramount+, boosting revenue and visibility.
In August 2024, the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) ratified a new
collective bargaining agreement that introduced significant enhancements to player
compensation and benefits, including an increased team salary caps of $3.3 million in
2025 rising to $5.1 million by 2030, a minimum salary of $48,500 and guaranteed player
contracts.
What are the foreign player rules?
Teams are given seven spots for international players on their rosters, which is an
increase from five during the 2023 season. Due to expansion clubs Bay FC and Utah
Royals also entering the league this year, that means there are an additional 38
international roster spots when compared to last season, which equals a potential total
of 98 rostered international players across the league for 2024. A player who was not
born in the USA but has permanent residency or US citizenship is considered a domestic
player. These international player slots can be traded with other teams for money.
The league covers any reasonable costs relating to a player who might need a P-1 visa,
whereas costs related to a Player’s Green Card will be paid by the team.
Jan - Dec
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