NWSL players get minimum wage increase as improved maternity cover confirmed for WSL

The National Women’s Soccer League and its players' association have agreed to their first-ever collective bargaining agreement.

The CBA, which is set to run until the 2026 season, includes an increase in the minimum salary for NWSL players in 2022.

It has been raised to $35,000 (£25,900), up from a minimum of $22,000 (£16,300) minimum in 2021.

Players have also gained six months paid mental health leave, eight weeks of parental leave, and provisions for safe playing fields and medical staff. Retirement fund contributions, life and health insurance, and levels of free housing will be increased.

In addition, the CBA allows for free agency starting in 2023 for players with a minimum of six years, and drops to a minimum of five years in 2024.

The CBA, ratified by the players' association the day before pre-season begins, still needs to be approved by the NWSL's Board of Governors.

"From our inception, the players' association has put players first. Our mission in this historic CBA was to put this same philosophy at the centre of NWSL's future," said NWSL Players' Association President Tory Huster.

"With the amount of care and attention that we have given this process since fall 2020, we are proud that players can confidently enter the 10th season in the NWSL in a better position than ever before."

The CBA was announced on the same day the FA confirmed Women’s Super League and Championship players will receive enhancements to maternity, injury and illness, and termination of contract for long-term injury.

Under the new policy, a player going on maternity leave will be paid 100 per cent of her weekly wage, as well as any other renumeration and benefits for the first 14 weeks, before dropping to the statutory rate.

The current