This past August, the NWSL and the Players Association agreed to eliminate the college draft as part of a new five-year collective bargaining agreement.
“Given our vision to be the best league in the world, we determined that this was the right time to align with global standards and achieve long term labor peace,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman in a press release. “This CBA gives us agency over our business and gives the players agency over their careers. Our new agreement revolutionizes the game, raises standards and innovates the business.”
Like nearly every major North American sport, the NWSL’s draft was an established core of team building.
Prospective rookies were selected in an order determined by league standings and when a team drafted a player, they held exclusive rights to said player preventing them from signing with any other NWSL team.
However, while the draft is a staple of most professional American sports, it was an anomaly in the soccer world.
Globally, most leagues utilize an open free agency model where players can be offered contracts by any team and the players in turn can pick and choose where they wish to sign and so joining with that and aligning with FIFA Regulations, the NWSL became the first major American league to abolish the draft.
“The draft is an antiquated model that empowers teams to decide for players instead of players deciding for themselves,” said NWSLPA president Tori Huster. “Now, players can choose the team environment that fits their needs and maximizes their opportunities. Teams will need to step up to create environments that appeal to players.”
Already, many collegiate players have taken their future into their own hands including quite a few local talents.
So far, seven players who were playing for a North Carolina college this past season have signed contracts with NWSL teams.
Perhaps one of the most interesting cases so far has been that of Duke freshman Mary Long, who signed with the Kansas City Current. Her parents, Angie and Chris Long, are majority co-owners of the team.
Long, who had three goals and one assist in 15 games with the Blue Devils and also represented the US at the U-17 World Cup last year, had trained with the Current over the past two years and without this new format, there’s no guarantee the 18-year-old forward winds up with her hometown team.
“This is the moment I’ve dreamed of for as long as I can remember,” Long said. “The Current holds a special place in my heart and I can’t wait to represent my hometown as we pursue Championships.”
Joining Long with the Current, who were the fourth-ranked team last season, is standout UNC goalkeeper Clare Gagne, who helped backstop the Tar Heels to the NCAA title this past season with a 0.771 save percentage and 13 shutouts including back-to-back shutouts in the College Cup.
Another interesting signing was that the Houston Dash, who finished as the worst team in the NWSL last season, still managed to land one of the top collegiate free agents, signing Duke midfielder Maggie Graham.
The impressive midfielder helped lead the Blue Devils to an ACC regular season title and the semifinals of the College Cup with 14 goals and five assists in 22 games.
“I am excited and grateful to begin my professional career with an organization like the Houston Dash that is committed to building a competitive team and culture that supports and develops its’ players,” Graham said in a press release.
Graham was a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, given annually to the top men and women’s college soccer players, and was also named the ACC Midfielder of the Year and was a First Team All-American.
Other North Carolina collegiate signings included 17-year-old UNC freshman defender Trinity Armstrong signing with the San Diego Wave FC, UNC forward Maddie Dahlien signing with the Seattle Reign, Duke’s Ella Hase signing with Racing Louisville and Wake Forest’s Zara Chavoshi signing with the Orlando Pride.
There are still plenty more opportunities for players in the coming weeks with professional tryouts and camp invites, but overall, it will be interesting to keep an eye on how this new trailblazing model will determine the future look of the league.
“The sports industry has been dominated for decades by the interests of men’s sports,” said NWSLPA Executive Director Meghann Burke. “It’s changing because of the players. We’ve seen it with the USWNT. We’ve seen it with the WNBA. And we are seeing it with the NWSL. The players are changing this industry.”
