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{{short description|Professional soccer league, highest level of women’s soccer in the United States}}{{for|the former women’s soccer league in Australia|Women’s National Soccer League}}{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}{{use American English|date=February 2022}}









|+Overview of National Women’s Soccer League teams!scope=“col“| Team!scope=“col“| Location!scope=“col“| Stadium{{efn|group=n|Stadiums are those expected to be used in the 2024 season.}}!scope=“col“| Founded!scope=“col“| Joined!scope=“col“| Head coach!scope=“col“| Men’s affiliate!scope=“row“|Angel City FC!scope=“row“|Bay FC| San Jose, California| PayPal Park!scope=“row“|Chicago Red Stars| Bridgeview, Illinois| SeatGeek Stadium!scope=“row“|Houston Dash!scope=“row“|Kansas City Current{{efn|group=n|Known as Kansas City NWSL in 2021.}}| Kansas City, Missouri| CPKC Stadium!scope=“row“|NJ/NY Gotham FC{{efn|group=n|Known as Sky Blue FC from 2013 to 2020.}}| Harrison, New Jersey!scope=“row“|North Carolina Courage| Cary, North Carolina| WakeMed Soccer Park!scope=“row“|Orlando Pride| Orlando, Florida| Inter&Co Stadium!scope=“row“|Portland Thorns FC| Portland, Oregon| Providence Park!scope=“row“|Racing Louisville FC| Louisville, Kentucky| Lynn Family Stadium!scope=“row“|San Diego Wave FC!scope=“row“|Seattle Reign FC{{efn|group=n|Known as Reign FC in 2019 and OL Reign from 2020 to 2023.NEWS, Evans, Jayda, January 9, 2024, OL Reign transform to Seattle Reign FC in throwback to original name and crest,www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/ol-reign-transform-to-seattle-reign-fc-in-throwback-to-original-name-and-crest/, January 9, 2024, }}!scope=“row“|Utah Royals{{efn|group=n|Known as Utah Royals FC from 2018 to 2020.}}| Sandy, Utah| America First Field!scope=“row“|Washington Spirit| Washington, D.C.| Audi Field

factoids
name	National Women’s Soccer League| image = NWSL logo.svg| pixels = 250px| organiser = CONCACAF (North America)| divisions = | teams = 14| feeds = | promotion = | relegation = United States soccer league system#Women’s leagues>1| domest_cup = | league_cup = NWSL Challenge Cup | champions = NJ/NY Gotham FC (1st title)	2023 National Women’s Soccer League season>2023| shieldtitle = NWSL Shield| shield = San Diego Wave FC (1st shield)	2023 National Women’s Soccer League season>2023| most_champs = Portland Thorns FC(3 titles)| most_shields = North Carolina CourageSeattle Reign FC(3 shields each)	Lauren Barnes (200){{small>(as of March 16, 2024){edih}	Sam Kerr (77){{small>(as of October 2, 2022)}}	CBS SportsSoccer on ESPN/ABC>ESPN/ABCPrime VideoScripps Sports	nwslsoccer.com/}}	2024 National Women’s Soccer League season>2024 NWSL season}}The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women’s soccer league at the top of the United States league system (alongside the USL Super League).WEB,www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240209-new-women-s-top-tier-league-given-green-light-by-us-soccer, New women’s top tier league given green light by US Soccer, February 9, 2024, Headquartered in New York City,NEWS,www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Closing-Bell/2022/07/13/NWSL-moving-headquarters.aspx, NWSL moving HQ to N.Y. from Chicago, July 13, 2022, May 8, 2023, Sports Business Journal, Alex, Silverman, it is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation.The NWSL was established in 2012 as the successor to Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS; 2007–2012), which was itself the successor to Women’s United Soccer Association (2001–2003). The league began play in 2013 with eight teams, four of which were former members of WPS (Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars, Sky Blue FC, and Western New York Flash).WEB, Will NWSL be a success? Well ...,espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9161421/espnw-latest-women-professional-soccer-league-success, espnW, April 11, 2013, September 21, 2013, NEWS, Women’s pro soccer league to debut in U.S. next year,www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2012/11/21/new-womens-soccer-league-to-debut-next-year/1720343/, USA Today, September 21, 2013, Kelly, Whiteside, November 21, 2012, WEB, Seattle will have team in new women’s professional league owned by Bill Predmore, Joshua, Mayers,seattletimes.com/html/soundersfcblog/2019731392_seattle_will_have_team_in_new.html, The Seattle Times, September 21, 2013, {{as of|2024|post=,}} there are 14 teams across the United States.WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-awards-expansion-team-rights-to-utah, National Women’s Soccer League Awards Expansion Team Rights to Utah, March 11, 2023, www.NWSLSocer.com, National Women’s Soccer League, December 7, 2023, WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-announces-expansion-to-bay-area-california, National Women’s Soccer League Announces Expansion to Bay Area, California, April 3, 2023, www.NWSLSocer.com, National Women’s Soccer League, December 7, 2023, Through the 2023 season, six teams (one now defunct) have been crowned NWSL Champions, awarded to the playoff winner, and five teams (one defunct) have claimed the NWSL Shield, awarded to the team in first place at the end of the regular season. The current (2023) NWSL champions are NJ/NY Gotham FC, and the current shield winners (2023) are San Diego Wave FC. Competition format {{as of|2024|post=,}} the NWSL season runs from March to November and a playoff tournament occurs after the season culminating in the NWSL championship game in late November. The NWSL has transitioned the NWSL Challenge Cup to a one match event between the current NWSL Shield holder and current NWSL Champions. Each team is scheduled for 26 regular-season games, with 13 homes games and 13 away games.WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-announces-2024-schedule-footprint-competition-calendar, National Women’s Soccer League Announces 2024 Schedule Footprint, Competition Calendar, December 7, 2023, www.NWSLSocer.com, National Women’s Soccer League, December 7, 2023, At the end of the regular season, the team with the highest point total is awarded the NWSL Shield. Beginning in 2024 the eight teams with the most points from the regular season qualify for the playoffs, introducing a quarterfinal round for all qualified teams.The current playoff format began in 2024. From 2021 to 2023, the playoffs included six teams, with the top two teams receiving byes to the semi-finals.NEWS, NWSL Announces Innovative 2021 Competition Framework,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-innovative-2021-competition-framework, November 18, 2020, NWSL, November 18, 2020, Prior to 2021, the playoffs included only four teams.WEB, 2018 Competition Rules and Regulations,www.nwslsoccer.com/rules-regulations, National Women’s Soccer League, July 18, 2018, The number of regular-season matches had also fluctuated between 20 and 24 in past seasons.WEB, The Lowdown: My thoughts on the 2016 NWSL schedule, The Equalizer,equalizersoccer.com/2016/03/02/the-lowdown-my-thoughts-on-the-2016-nwsl-schedule/, March 2, 2016, May 10, 2016, In 2021 and 2022 the Challenge Cup was a preseason tournament, while in 2023 it ran concurrently with the season.WEB,www.olreign.com/news/2021/12/18/preliminaryschedule, NWSL Announces Preliminary Framework for 2022 Season, OL REIGN: WE ARE THE BOLD, History Founding After Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) officially folded in April 2012, the United States Soccer Federation (US Soccer) announced a roundtable for discussion of the future of women’s professional soccer in the United States. The meeting, which included representatives from US Soccer, WPS teams, the W-League (ceased operation in 2015), and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), was held in June. By November, after much discussion, owners from the Chicago Red Stars, Boston Breakers and US Soccer recruited an additional six teams. Compared to WPS, the teams would intentionally operate at a lower cost structure and manage growth in a sustainable way.WEB, Kassouf, Jeff,equalizersoccer.com/2012/06/29/new-womens-soccer-league-in-the-works-for-2013-following-meeting-in-chicago/, New women’s soccer league in the works for 2013 following meeting in Chicago, The Equalizer, June 29, 2012, April 13, 2013, NEWS, Bell, Jack,www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/sports/soccer/national-womens-soccer-league-to-begin-play.html, Another Attempt at Women’s Circuit, but With a Twist, The New York Times, April 13, 2013, limited, June 10, 2013, In November 2012, it was announced that there would be eight teams in a new women’s professional soccer league that was yet to be named at the time of the announcement, with national team players subsidized by US Soccer, the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). The three federations would pay for the salaries of their national team players (24 from the US, 16 from Canada, and 12 to 16 from Mexico) to aid the teams in creating world-class rosters while staying under the salary cap. The players would be distributed evenly (as possible) among the eight teams in an allocation process. The teams would own the league, and the league would contract US Soccer to manage league operations.WEB, Lauletta, Dan,equalizersoccer.com/2012/11/21/eight-teams-to-start-new-womens-pro-soccer-league-in-2013/, Eight teams to start new women’s pro soccer league in 2013, The Equalizer, November 21, 2012, April 13, 2013, After the 2020 season, the league terminated its management contract with US Soccer.NEWS, Linehan, Meg, Rueter, Jeff, NWSL news galore: Sacramento is in, the USSF is out, Utah investigation buried,theathletic.com/2318328/2021/01/12/nwsl-lisa-baird-sacramento/, February 13, 2021, The Athletic, January 12, 2021, On November 29, 2012, it was announced that Cheryl Bailey had been named executive director in the new league. Bailey had previously served as general manager of the United States women’s national soccer team from 2007 to 2011, which included leading the support staff for the U.S. team during the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cups, as well as the 2008 Summer Olympics. During her tenure with the women’s national team, she was in charge of all areas of administration including interfacing with clubs, team travel, payroll, and working with FIFA, CONCACAF, and other federations.WEB, Cheryl Bailey Named Executive Director of New Women’s Soccer League,www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2012/11/Cheryl-Bailey-Named-Executive-Director-of-New-Womens-Soccer-League.aspx, US Soccer, December 16, 2012, dead,www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2012/11/Cheryl-Bailey-Named-Executive-Director-of-New-Womens-Soccer-League.aspx," title="web.archive.org/web/20121203043736www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2012/11/Cheryl-Bailey-Named-Executive-Director-of-New-Womens-Soccer-League.aspx,">web.archive.org/web/20121203043736www.ussoccer.com/News/Womens-National-Team/2012/11/Cheryl-Bailey-Named-Executive-Director-of-New-Womens-Soccer-League.aspx, December 3, 2012, Nike, Inc. was selected as league sponsor, providing apparel to all teams as well as the game ball.NEWS,www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/13776702/nike-extends-partnership-nwsl-2019, Nike extends partnership with NWSL through 2019, espnW, Associated Press, September 30, 2015, Early years The first NWSL game was held on April 13, 2013, as the Portland Thorns visited FC Kansas City, playing to a 1–1 draw in front of a crowd of 6,784 fans at Shawnee Mission District Stadium. Renae Cuellar scored the first goal in league history.WEB,www.fckansascity.com/2013/04/14/fc-kansas-city-earns-point-in-league-opener/, FC Kansas City earns point in league opener, FC Kansas City, April 14, 2013, August 27, 2015, WEB,www.timbers.com/news/christine-sinclair-penalty-kick-leads-thorns-fc-1-1-draw-against-fc-kansas-city, Christine Sinclair penalty kick leads Thorns FC to 1–1 draw against FC Kansas City, Portland Thorns, April 13, 2013, August 27, 2015, The 2013 season saw regular-season attendance average of 4,270, with a high of 17,619 on August 4 for Kansas City at Portland.WEB, Jorstad, Keith,womens.soccerly.com/2013/08/20/nwsl-attendance-watch-week-19/, NWSL Attendance Watch Week 19, The Equalizer, August 20, 2013, August 4, 2014, WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/News/2013Q3/744390.html, FC Kansas City earn playoff berth with 3–2 win over Thorns FC, National Women’s Soccer League, August 4, 2013, August 5, 2014, dead,www.nwslsoccer.com/News/2013Q3/744390.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140817101227www.nwslsoccer.com/News/2013Q3/744390.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140817101227www.nwslsoccer.com/News/2013Q3/744390.html, August 17, 2014, The NWSL became the first U.S. professional women’s soccer league to reach nine teams with the addition of Houston Dash, backed by Major League Soccer (MLS) team Houston Dynamo, in 2014; expansion interest, particularly from MLS and USL teams, has continued.WEB, Moran, Gwen, Pro women’s soccer is having a moment. Here’s how to make it last,fortune.com/2015/07/29/pro-womens-soccer-is-having-a-moment-heres-how-to-make-it-last/, Fortune, October 13, 2015, July 29, 2015, WEB, Kassouf, Jeff, Plush: Six cities interested in NWSL expansion,equalizersoccer.com/2015/03/19/nwsl-expansion-six-cities-exclusive-commissioner-jeff-plush/, The Equalizer, October 13, 2015, March 19, 2015, The third season saw a shortened schedule and some early-season roster instability due to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, but the World Cup also provided exposure to the NWSL, which was credited with boosting attendance numbers across the league.(File:2022 NWSL Championship 08 - 10 year players.jpg|thumb|At the 2022 NWSL Championship, the league recognized some of the players who had competed in the league for all ten years of its existence.)The league also became the first professional women’s league in the US to play more than three seasons when the league kicked off its fourth season in 2016.WEB, McCauley, Kevin, NWSL has survived longer than any other women’s soccer league.,www.sbnation.com/soccer/2016/4/15/11409908/nwsl-2016-season-wages-cap-salary-minimum, SBNation, December 20, 2017, April 15, 2016, Response to COVID-19 pandemic The 2020 season was initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later canceled. Instead the league played the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup, a special competition hosted in the Salt Lake City region with no spectators. The cup began in late June, making the NWSL the first major U.S. team sports league to return to play.NEWS, Goff, Steven, June 26, 2020, NWSL Challenge Cup opens this weekend, making women’s soccer first U.S. team sport back,www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/25/nwsl-challenge-cup-opens-this-weekend-making-womens-soccer-first-us-team-sport-back/, The Washington Post, July 6, 2020, The league was the recipient of a federal loan through the Paycheck Protection Program, which it used to compensate players before the competition was able to begin.NEWS, Das, Andrew, July 2, 2020, Federal Loan Saved a Soccer Season Nearly Lost to the Pandemic,www.nytimes.com/2020/07/02/sports/soccer/nwsl-ppp-loan.html, The New York Times, July 6, 2020, Later that year the league also played the NWSL Fall Series, a set of 18 games between teams within geographically restricted regions. Teams Current teams {{Location map+ |United States |width=340 |caption=Locations of National Women’s Soccer League teams.(File:Blue pog.svg|8px) Current club; (File:Red pog.svg|8px) future club |places={{Location map~ |United States |lat=34.013 |long=-118.285 |label=Angel City |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=37.351389 |long=-121.925 |label=Bay |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=42.309728 |long=-71.095942 |label=Boston |position=right |mark=Red pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=41.778616 |long=-88.095004 |label=Red Stars |position=left |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=29.7500 |long=-95.3400 |label=Dash |position=top |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=39.1214 |long=-94.821 |label=Current |position=left |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=40.736667 |long=-74.150278 |label=Gotham |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=35.786164 |long=-78.755106 |label=Courage |position=left |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=47.5952 |long=-122.3316 |label=Reign |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=28.4158 |long=-81.2989 |label=Pride |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=45.520895 |long=-122.690941 |label=Thorns |position=bottom |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=38.257489 |long=-85.728203 |label=Racing |position=left |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=32.7731 |long=-117.1837 |label=Wave |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=40.5829 |long=-111.8934 |label=Royals |position=right |mark=Blue pog.svg}}{{Location map~ |United States |lat=38.868333 |long=-77.012222 |label=Spirit |position=right|mark=Blue pog.svg}}}}The NWSL teams are spread across the United States. Each club is allowed a minimum of 20 players on their roster, with a maximum of 22 players (26 when including supplemental players) allowed at any time during the season.WEB, 2013 Roster Rules,www.nwslsoccer.com/home/about/732760.html, National Women’s Soccer League, September 22, 2013,www.nwslsoccer.com/home/about/732760.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150520105930www.nwslsoccer.com/home/about/732760.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150520105930www.nwslsoccer.com/home/about/732760.html, May 20, 2015, dead, Originally, each team’s roster included up to three allocated American national team players, up to two allocated Mexico women’s national team players, and up to two allocated Canadian national team players via the NWSL Player Allocation and subsequent trades.WEB, NWSL allocation easier said than done,espn.go.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/8836654/espnw-nwsl-allocation-easier-said-done, espnW, September 22, 2013, Graham, Hays, January 11, 2013, In addition, each team had four spots each season available for international players; these spots could be traded to other teams.WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/home/about/732760.html, 2014 Roster Rules – National Women’s Soccer League, National Women’s Soccer League, January 16, 2018,www.nwslsoccer.com/home/about/732760.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20150520105930www.nwslsoccer.com/home/about/732760.html,">web.archive.org/web/20150520105930www.nwslsoccer.com/home/about/732760.html, May 20, 2015, dead, The remaining roster spots were required to be filled by domestic players from the United States. Teams filled their rosters via a number of drafts and 4–6 discovery player signings. Mexico stopped allocating players to the NWSL, having established its own women’s league in 2017, and the numbers of allocated players and international players on each team varied each year due to trades. Effective with the 2022 season, the player allocation system has been fully abolished.WEB,www.ussoccer.com/stories/2021/12/us-soccer-statement-on-nwsl-allocation, U.S. Soccer Statement on NWSL Allocation, www.ussoccer.com, Of the 14 teams contesting the 2024 season, three are affiliated with men’s Major League Soccer teams, two are affiliated with men’s teams of the United Soccer League, one is part of a global portfolio of women’s soccer clubs owned by Michele Kang,WEB,thedistrictpress.com/2024/02/10/washington-spirit-owner-y-michele-kang-officially-adds-ol-feminin-to-ownership-group/, Washington Spirit owner Y. Michele Kang officially adds OL Féminin to ownership group, February 11, 2024, The District Press, and eight are independent.{| class=“wikitable sortable plainrowheaders”
Los Angeles>Los Angeles, California| BMO Stadium	2020	2022
2023	2024
2006	2013	Lorne|Donaldson}}|{{N/A}}
Houston>Houston, Texas| Shell Energy Stadium	2013	2014	Fran|Alonso}}	Houston Dynamo FC (Major League Soccer>MLS)
2020	2021
Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)>Red Bull Arena	2007	2013
2017	2017		North Carolina FC (USL Championship>USLC)
2015	2016		Orlando City SC (Major League Soccer>MLS)
2012	2013
2019	2021		Louisville City FC (USL Championship>USLC)
San Diego>San Diego, California| Snapdragon Stadium	2021	2022
Seattle>Seattle, Washington| Lumen Field	2012	2013
2017	2024{{efn	Utah Royals FC initially joined the league in 2018 and played three seasons before ceasing operations at the end of 2020.}}		Real Salt Lake (Major League Soccer>MLS)
2012	2013		group=n|Washington Spirit, through shared ownership by Michele Kang, is affiliated with women’s soccer clubs Olympique Lyonnais Féminin and London City Lionesses.}}

{{notelist|group=n}}“>

Future team {| class“wikitable sortable plainrowheaders“|+Overview of planned National Women’s Soccer League teams

!scope=“col“| Team!scope=“col“| Location!scope=“col“| Stadium!scope=“col“| Founded!scope=“col“| Joining!scope=“col“| Head coach!scope=“col“| Men’s affiliate!scope=“row“|NWSL BostonBoston>Boston, Massachusetts| White Stadium 2023 2026HTTPS://WWW.NWSLSOCCER.COM/NEWS/PROFESSIONAL-WOMENS-SOCCER-RETURNS-TO-BOSTON-AS-NATIONAL-WOMENS-SOCCER-LEAGUE-AWARDS-EXPANSION-FRANCHISE-TO-BOSTON-UNITY-SOCCER-PARTNERS >TITLE=PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER RETURNS TO BOSTON AS NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE AWARDS EXPANSION FRANCHISE TO BOSTON UNITY SOCCER PARTNERS DATE=SEPTEMBER 19, 2023, September 19, 2023, | vacant|{{n/A}}“>

Former and defunct teams {| class“wikitable sortable plainrowheaders“|+Overview of former and defunct National Women’s Soccer League teams

!scope=“col“| Team!scope=“col“| Location!scope=“col“| Stadium{{efn|group=m|Stadiums are those used in their last NWSL season.}}!scope=“col“| Founded!scope=“col“| Joined!scope=“col“| Last NWSL season!scope=“row“|Boston BreakersBoston>Boston, Massachusetts| Jordan Field200720132017NWSL ANNOUNCES BOSTON BREAKERS TO CEASE OPERATIONS>URL=HTTP://WWW.NWSLSOCCER.COM/NEWS/#NWSL-ANNOUNCES-BOSTON-BREAKERS-TO-CEASE-OPERATIONSPUBLISHER=NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE, January 28, 2018, !scope=“row“|FC Kansas City| Kansas City, Missouri| Swope Soccer Village201220132017LINEHAN >FIRST1=MEG URL=HTTP://WWW.NWSLSOCCER.COM/NEWS#NWSL-ANNOUNCES-THAT-FC-KANSAS-CITY-WILL-CEASE-OPERATIONSPUBLISHER=NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE, November 20, 2017, !scope=“row“|Western New York Flash| Rochester, New YorkRochester Community Sports Complex Stadium>Sahlen’s Stadium200820132016WESTERN NEW YORK FLASH ANNOUNCES ENTRY INTO UNITED WOMEN’S SOCCER>URL=HTTP://WWW.WNYFLASH.COM/NEWS/INDEX.HTML?ARTICLE_ID=502PUBLISHER=WESTERN NEW YORK FLASHARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20180129140701/HTTP://WWW.WNYFLASH.COM/NEWS/INDEX.HTML?ARTICLE_ID=502URL-STATUS=DEAD, {{notelist|group=m}}

Membership timeline

{{Font color||{{RGB|177|205|253}}|Current team}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|127|39}}|Defunct team}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|192|203}}|Former team}} {{Font color||{{RGB|255|255|0}}|Future team}}DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyyImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20Period = from:2013 till:2027TimeAxis = orientation:horizontalPlotArea = right:30 left:0 bottom:50 top:5Colors = id:barcolor value:rgb(0.99,0.7,0.7) PlotData=

ScaleMajor = gridcolor:line unit:year increment:1 start:2013

Expansion

Soon after launch, the league reportedly planned to expand to ten teams for 2014.WEB, Giase, Frank,www.nj.com/soccer-news/index.ssf/2012/12/on_soccer_new_womens_pro_leagu.html, On Soccer: New women’s pro league has backing of U.S. Soccer Federation, The Star-Ledger, December 11, 2012, April 13, 2013, Potential candidates included groups not accepted as part of the original eight; groups from the Los Angeles area (joint effort from the LA Strikers and Pali Blues)WEB, Kassouf, Jeff,equalizersoccer.com/2012/11/20/no-los-angeles-pali-in-womens-soccer-league/, Established LA ownership excluded for geography, The Equalizer, November 20, 2012, April 13, 2013, and from Hartford, Connecticut,WEB, Kassouf, Jeff,equalizersoccer.com/2012/11/21/connecticut-hopes-for-expansion-bid-again/, Connecticut hopes for expansion bid, again, The Equalizer, November 21, 2012, April 13, 2013, were confirmed failed bids, as was one from the Seattle Sounders Women. There was speculation that the Vancouver Whitecaps Women could be logical candidates especially given the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada; however, the Whitecaps shuttered their women’s program (except for one U-18 academy team) in December 2012.During the inaugural season, there were rumors of expansion interest from MLS teams Toronto FC,WEB, Rollins, Duane,equalizersoccer.com/2013/05/15/the-view-from-the-north-silence-speaking-volumes-in-toronto-nwsl-expansion/, The View from the North: Silence speaking volumes in Toronto?, The Equalizer, May 15, 2013, September 1, 2013, Vancouver Whitecaps FC,WEB, Emily, Dulhanty,www.rednationonline.ca/Articles2012/TheCaseforTorontoNationalWomensSoccerLeag.aspx, The Case for Toronto: National Women’s Soccer League Expansion, Red Nation Online, April 14, 2018, and the New York Red Bulls,NEWS,www.soccerwire.com/news/exclusive-gulati-confirms-no-nwsl-expansion-for-2014/, Exclusive: Gulati confirms no NWSL expansion for 2014, Soccer Wire, April 14, 2018, April 14, 2018,web.archive.org/web/20180414233808/https://www.soccerwire.com/news/exclusive-gulati-confirms-no-nwsl-expansion-for-2014/, dead, as well as confirmed interest from WPSL side the Houston Aces.NEWS, Coleman, Adam,www.yourhoustonnews.com/cypresscreek/sports/cy-woods-girls-soccer-coach-living-dream-as-pro-player/article_ed1f7996-ef14-11e2-a0ec-0019bb2963f4.html, Cy Woods girls’ soccer coach living dream as pro player, Cyprus Creek Mirror, July 17, 2013, September 1, 2013, NWSL team owners hinted that expansion for 2014 was not a question of “if” but “how many”.WEB, Giase, Frank,www.nj.com/soccer-news/index.ssf/2013/08/giase_on_soccer.html, On Soccer: National Women’s Soccer League on solid ground, The Star-Ledger, August 20, 2013, September 1, 2013, WEB,www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/arnim-whisler-on-expansion.1991839/, arnim whisler on expansion, BigSoccer.com, August 4, 2013, September 1, 2013, {{better source needed|date=November 2019}} Despite this, it was announced during the playoffs that there would be no expansion for the league’s second season,WEB, Murray, Caitlin,www.soccerwire.com/news/exclusive-gulati-confirms-no-nwsl-expansion-for-2014/, Exclusive: Gulati confirms no NWSL expansion for 2014, Soccer Wire, August 25, 2013, September 1, 2013, September 28, 2013,www.soccerwire.com/news/exclusive-gulati-confirms-no-nwsl-expansion-for-2014/," title="web.archive.org/web/20130928083358www.soccerwire.com/news/exclusive-gulati-confirms-no-nwsl-expansion-for-2014/,">web.archive.org/web/20130928083358www.soccerwire.com/news/exclusive-gulati-confirms-no-nwsl-expansion-for-2014/, dead, though the Red Bulls and Sky Blue FC confirmed that they were in discussions for cooperation.NEWS, Bell, Jack,www.nytimes.com/2013/08/23/sports/soccer/sky-blue-looks-beyond-nwsl-playoffs.html, Sky Blue Looks Beyond N.W.S.L. Playoffs, The New York Times, August 23, 2013, September 1, 2013, limited, During the first offseason, the Houston Dynamo added their name to the list of MLS teams interested in fielding a women’s side, stating that they were “exploring the opportunity” of starting an NWSL side in 2014 or ‘15,WEB, Lovell, Darrell,www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/11/houston-dynamo-looking-becoming-second-mls-team-own-professional-womens-club, Houston Dynamo looking into becoming second MLS team to own professional women’s club, Houston Dynamo, November 19, 2013, November 19, 2013, November 27, 2013,www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/11/houston-dynamo-looking-becoming-second-mls-team-own-professional-womens-club," title="web.archive.org/web/20131127102235www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/11/houston-dynamo-looking-becoming-second-mls-team-own-professional-womens-club,">web.archive.org/web/20131127102235www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/11/houston-dynamo-looking-becoming-second-mls-team-own-professional-womens-club, dead, and in 2013 they announced the Houston Dash with 2014 as their inaugural season.WEB,www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/12/houston-dynamo-launch-houston-dash-expansion-member-national-women%E2%80%99s-soccer-league, Houston Dynamo launch Houston Dash as expansion member of National Women’s Soccer League, Houston Dynamo, December 12, 2013, July 25, 2014, May 1, 2014,www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/12/houston-dynamo-launch-houston-dash-expansion-member-national-women%E2%80%99s-soccer-league," title="web.archive.org/web/20140501133959www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/12/houston-dynamo-launch-houston-dash-expansion-member-national-women%E2%80%99s-soccer-league,">web.archive.org/web/20140501133959www.houstondynamo.com/news/2013/12/houston-dynamo-launch-houston-dash-expansion-member-national-women%E2%80%99s-soccer-league, dead, By early December, NWSL approved a new team run by the Dynamo organization for expansion in 2014,NEWS, Goff, Steve,www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/soccer-insider/wp/2013/12/11/nwsl-expanding-to-houston/, NWSL expanding to Houston in 2014, The Washington Post, December 11, 2013, December 11, 2013, despite their earlier statement that there would be no expansion for the league’s second season.During the second offseason, expansion talk grew rapidly, with three established men’s teams (Real Salt Lake of MLS, the Indy Eleven of NASL, and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of USL Pro) expressing interest in joining NWSL, as well as an unattached group from Atlanta. There was also rumored or suggested interest from three men’s teams in California, though none of those groups made official statements. Despite this interest, it was announced in late April 2015 that there would be no expansion for the 2016 season.However, after the well-publicized success of the US Women’s National soccer team, renewed interest in NWSL expansion caused reports from the owners’ meeting that “a new team in 2016 has not been ruled out”, with potential expansion news to be revealed within a month.WEB, The Lowdown: World Cup bump engulfs NWSL,equalizersoccer.com/2015/07/16/the-lowdown-world-cup-bump-nwsl-commissioner-jeff-plush/, The Equalizer, July 16, 2015, July 21, 2015, Commissioner Jeff Plush said that over a dozen interested groups had contacted the league in the post-World-Cup weeks; MLS team Orlando City SC was one of the first newly interested groups made public.WEB, 10 minutes with NWSL commissioner Jeff Plush on the Women’s World Cup, role models, league expansion,www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/08/10-minutes-nwsl-commissioner-jeff-plush-womens-world-cup-role-models-expansion, Major League Soccer, July 8, 2015, July 21, 2015, July 10, 2015,www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/08/10-minutes-nwsl-commissioner-jeff-plush-womens-world-cup-role-models-expansion?," title="web.archive.org/web/20150710145147www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/08/10-minutes-nwsl-commissioner-jeff-plush-womens-world-cup-role-models-expansion?,">web.archive.org/web/20150710145147www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/07/08/10-minutes-nwsl-commissioner-jeff-plush-womens-world-cup-role-models-expansion?, dead, WEB, Orlando City likely to add NWSL Women’s team,otowns11.com/2015/07/20/orlando-city-likely-to-add-nwsl-womens-team/, Fansided, July 20, 2015, July 21, 2015, WEB, National Women’s Soccer League set to capitalize on U.S.’s World Cup title,sports.yahoo.com/news/national-women-s-soccer-league-set-to-capitalize-on-u-s--s-world-cup-title-213933319.html, Yahoo! Sports, July 21, 2015, On October 20, 2015, it was announced that Orlando would be hosting the 10th NWSL team, the Orlando Pride, due to start the 2016 season.WEB, Orlando Pride women’s soccer team to join NWSL in 2016,www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2015/10/20/orlando_city_nwsl_soccer.html, Bay News 9, October 20, 2015,www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2015/10/20/orlando_city_nwsl_soccer.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20151025002624www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2015/10/20/orlando_city_nwsl_soccer.html,">web.archive.org/web/20151025002624www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/on-the-town/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2015/10/20/orlando_city_nwsl_soccer.html, October 25, 2015, dead, At that announcement, the Pride announced that they had hired former U.S. National Women’s Team coach Tom Sermanni.On November 16, 2017, it was announced that Real Salt Lake would expand into the NWSL beginning in the 2018 season. The Salt Lake City team, shortly thereafter unveiled as Utah Royals FC, is officially considered a new franchise that replaced FC Kansas City.The NWSL announced on October 22, 2019, that a team in Louisville, Kentucky, affiliated with the city’s USL Championship side Louisville City FC, would join the league in 2021. The team was originally to be named Proof Louisville FC,NEWS, Sullivan, Tim, Louisville’s NWSL expansion team has a name, and it’s a nod to Kentucky’s favorite spirit,eu.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/11/12/proof-louisville-fc-name-louisvilles-expansion-nwsl-team/2576756001/, November 19, 2019, Louisville Courier Journal, November 12, 2019, but after significant disapproval from fans it was announced that the Proof Louisville FC branding would not necessarily be the final selection, and that the process to determine the team’s identity would be restarted.WEB,www.sportbusiness.com/news/louisville-nwsl-team-may-get-name-change/, Louisville NWSL team may get name change, April 22, 2020, SportBusiness, On July 8, 2020, the Louisville team was rebranded as Racing Louisville FC,NEWS, Williams, Bob, NWSL Louisville team rebranded as Racing Louisville FC,www.sportbusiness.com/news/nwsl-louisville-team-rebranded-as-racing-louisville-fc/, July 8, 2020, SportBusiness, July 8, 2020, and its associated visual identity was announced on the same day.PRESS RELEASE, Racing Louisville FC Announced as NWSL’s Newest Franchise,www.racingloufc.com/news_article/show/1112252, July 8, 2020, Racing Louisville FC, July 8, 2020, July 10, 2020,web.archive.org/web/20200710220822/https://www.racingloufc.com/news_article/show/1112252, dead, Racing plays in Lynn Family Stadium, which opened in 2020 as the new home of Louisville City.PRESS RELEASE,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/national-womens-soccer-league-announces-expansion-to-louisville-in-2021, National Women’s Soccer League announces expansion to Louisville in 2021, National Women’s Soccer League, October 22, 2019, October 22, 2019, On July 21, 2020, the NWSL announced that a Los Angeles-based team will begin play in 2022.NEWS, National Women’s Soccer League awards expansion team rights to Los Angeles,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/national-womens-soccer-league-awards-expansion-team-rights-to-los-angeles, December 9, 2020, NWSL, July 21, 2020, The team’s ownership group, who call themselves “Angel City”, is led by president and founder Julie Uhrman, a media and gaming entrepreneur; co-founders Natalie Portman, an Oscar-winning actress, and venture capitalist Kara Nortman; venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian as lead founding investor;WEB, We Are Angel City,weareangelcity.com/, Angel City, July 21, 2020, and additional investors including fourteen former USWNT members, most with ties to Southern California; actresses Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, and Eva Longoria; talk show host Lilly Singh; and Ohanian’s wife, tennis great Serena Williams. In 2022, the Los Angeles NWSL team became the first American professional sports team founded by a majority-woman ownership group to begin play,WEB,www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/story/3925142/mls-expands-to-st-louis-team-to-start-in-2022, MLS expands to St. Louis; team to start in 2022, ESPN.com, August 20, 2019, August 20, 2019, and co-founders Portman, Nortman, and Uhrman have publicly discussed their ownership stakes extensively as one way to address gender inequity in sports and to encourage additional investment by women into women’s sports.NEWS, Brassil, Gillian R., July 21, 2020, New Women’s Soccer Team, Founded by Women, Will Press Equal Pay Cause, The New York Times,www.nytimes.com/2020/07/21/sports/soccer/angel-city-fc-nwsl.html, July 22, 2020, 0362-4331, NEWS, Burhan, Asif, New NWSL Franchise Angel City Commits To Tackling Social Inequality In Los Angeles,www.forbes.com/sites/asifburhan/2020/07/21/natalie-portman-heads-female-led-investor-group-launching-nwsl-franchise-in-los-angeles/#1db2e6ee109d, July 26, 2020, Forbes, July 21, 2020, NEWS, Settimi, Christina, Serena Williams, Natalie Portman, USWNT Legends Bringing Women’s Soccer To LA In NWSL Ownership Group,www.forbes.com/sites/christinasettimi/2020/07/21/serena-williams-natalie-portman-and-uswnt-legends-part-of-female-ownership-group-bringing-womens-professional-soccer-to-los-angeles/#38c2ee3d2767, July 26, 2020, Forbes, July 21, 2020, On October 21, 2020, the ownership group announced that the expansion club would be called Angel City FC and announced more group members, among them tennis great Billie Jean King, WNBA star Candace Parker, alpine skiing great Lindsey Vonn and her fiancé at the time, NHL star P. K. Subban, actress and activist Sophia Bush, Latin music pop star Becky G, actor and TV host James Corden, and former US men’s soccer international Cobi Jones.PRESS RELEASE,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/angel-city-confirms-name-as-angel-city-football-club-and-officially-joins-national-womens-soccer-league, Angel City Confirms Name as Angel City Football Club and Officially Joins National Women’s Soccer League, National Women’s Soccer League, October 21, 2020, October 21, 2020, On December 7, 2020, the NWSL announced that an expansion team in Kansas City would join the league in 2021 and take over player-related assets from Utah Royals FC.NEWS, Kansas City Returns to the NWSL as Expansion Team in 2021,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/kansas-city-returns-to-the-nwsl-as-expansion-team-in-2021, December 7, 2020, NWSL, December 7, 2020, The Royals ceased operations at the same time, but the new owners of Utah Soccer LLC (after Dell Loy Hansen completes the sale) would have the option of re-establishing the Royals franchise in 2023.NEWS, Utah Soccer LLC Transfers Ownership of Utah Royals FC to Group in Kansas City, Kansas,www.rsl.com/post/2020/12/06/utah-soccer-llc-transfers-ownership-utah-royals-fc-group-kansas-city-kansas, December 7, 2020, Real Salt Lake, December 6, 2020, The team played under the placeholder name of Kansas City NWSL in the 2021 season, announcing its permanent identity of Kansas City Current immediately before its final home game of that season on October 30.PRESS RELEASE,www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/kansas-city-current-reveals-name-and-crest-at-inaugural-seas, Kansas City Current Reveals Name and Crest at Inaugural Season Finale, Kansas City Current, October 30, 2021, On January 12, 2021, then-NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird shared in a press conference that an expansion team in Sacramento would join the league in 2022, but that the team ownership would make the official announcement in due course.NEWS, Rodriguez, Alicia, NWSL commissioner announces Sacramento expansion team will enter league in 2022,www.indomitablecitysoccer.com/2021/1/12/22227038/nwsl-commissioner-announces-sacramento-expansion-team-will-enter-league-in-2022, January 12, 2021, Indomitable City Soccer, January 12, 2021, A team announcement never materialized, however.NEWS, Stejskal, Sam, Tenorio, Paul, Rueter, Jeff, Linehan, Meg, Sacramento Republic’s MLS future in doubt: Why it happened and what comes next,theathletic.com/2415260/2021/02/26/sacramento-republic-mls-future/, February 27, 2021, The Athletic, February 26, 2021, In May 2021, it was reported that the ownership group behind the Sacramento expansion would be seeking NWSL approval to move its expansion rights to San Diego instead.NEWS, Linehan, Meg, NWSL expected to approve Sacramento expansion group move to San Diego: Sources,theathletic.com/news/nwsl-expected-to-approve-sacramento-expansion-group-move-to-san-diego-sources/wcKShC5l8LxL, May 6, 2021, The Athletic, May 6, 2021, On June 8, 2021, the NWSL officially announced a San Diego expansion team, ultimately named San Diego Wave FC, with former United States women’s national soccer team head coach Jill Ellis as president.NEWS, Zeigler, Mark, Women’s pro soccer coming to San Diego in 2022,www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/soccer/story/2021-06-08/soccer-nwsl-womens-pro-soccer-expansion-team-san-diego-jill-ellis-ron-burkle-torero-stadium-wusa-spirit, June 8, 2021, The San Diego Union-Tribune, June 8, 2021, PRESS RELEASE,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/san-diego-nwsl-announces-official-club-name, San Diego NWSL Announces Official Club Name, National Women’s Soccer League, November 9, 2021, November 19, 2021, In late 2022, it was reported the likely 13th expansion club would be in Utah, as the new Real Salt Lake ownership had the rights to an approximately $2 million expansion franchise fee to bring back the Utah Royals to the Salt Lake City area. In addition the three finalists for the 14th expansion club were a group from the San Francisco Bay Area, Tampa, and Boston. It is thought these teams would join for the 2024 season. The highest bid was reported to be $40 million.NEWS, Caron, Emily, NWSL Narrows Expansion Search to Boston, Tampa and San Francisco,www.sportico.com/business/sales/2022/nwsl-expansion-bids-1234697670/, December 17, 2022, Sportico, December 16, 2022, On January 27, 2023, it was reported that the NWSL would expand to Utah, San Francisco and Boston. The owners in Utah would pay $2–5 million, while the groups in San Francisco and Boston would pay $50 million. Utah and San Francisco would join the NWSL in 2024 and Boston would join the NWSL later.NEWS,www.wsj.com/articles/national-womens-soccer-league-san-francisco-boston-utah-11674857126, WSJ News Exclusive {{pipe, NWSL Set to Expand With Record-Setting $50 Million Franchise Fees|first=Jessica Toonkel and Rachel|last=Bachman|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|date=January 27, 2023 }} On March 11, 2023, it was confirmed that the Utah team would join in 2024, inheriting the Utah Royals FC name and history.PRESS RELEASE,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-awards-expansion-team-rights-to-utah, National Women’s Soccer League Awards Expansion Team Rights to Utah, National Women’s Soccer League, March 11, 2023, March 11, 2023,

Organization

Stadiums and attendance

In the 2024 season, every NWSL team will use one stadium as its primary home venue.The highest attendance in the league’s history was on September 17, 2022, for San Diego Wave FC’s opening game at the new Snapdragon Stadium against Angel City FC, which drew a sellout crowd of 32,000.WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/game/san-diego-wave-fc-vs-angel-city-fc-2022-09-17/latest, Match Recap: San Diego tops Angel City in front of capacity crowd for first win at Snapdragon Stadium, National Women’s Soccer League, September 18, 2022, September 18, 2022, This broke both of the league’s previous single-game attendance records—the absolute record of 27,278 for OL Reign’s match against the visiting Portland Thorns FC as part of a doubleheader with Seattle Sounders FC of MLS at Lumen Field,NEWS,www.seattletimes.com/sports/reign/megan-rapinoe-scores-a-brace-to-lead-ol-reign-past-portland-before-an-nwsl-record-crowd/, Megan Rapinoe scores a brace to lead OL Reign past Portland before an NWSL-record crowd, Jayda, Evans, The Seattle Times, August 29, 2021, August 31, 2021, and the record for a standalone match (not part of a doubleheader with a men’s team) of 25,218, achieved on August 11, 2019, at Portland’s Providence Park in a game between the Thorns and the visiting North Carolina Courage.WEB, Goldberg, Jamie, August 11, 2019, Thorns fight back to earn massive 2-1 win over Courage,www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2019/08/portland-thorns-fight-back-to-earn-massive-2-1-win-over-north-carolina-courage.html, October 19, 2021, Oregonian/OregonLive, en, {{as of|2022|10|17|df=US}}, Angel City FC and Portland Thorns FC have respectively hosted four and three of the ten most-attended regular-season matches in league history (including ties for 10th), with the other four being San Diego Wave FC’s Snapdragon Stadium opener, two doubleheader games hosted by OL Reign and Chicago Red Stars respectively, and Orlando Pride’s first-ever home game in 2016.WEB,fw.to/cGEeK3d,fw.to/cGEeK3d," title="web.archive.org/web/20160509135847fw.to/cGEeK3d,">web.archive.org/web/20160509135847fw.to/cGEeK3d, dead, May 9, 2016, Orlando Pride rolls to 3–1 win before record crowd in home debut, Orlando Sentinel, April 23, 2016,

Squad formation and salaries

In each season, teams receive a salary cap that limits their total spending on players. Before the 2022 season, salaries of federation players were paid for completely or mostly by their respective national federations, and they counted against the salary cap at a pre-determined amount—$33,000 for U.S. players, and $27,500 or the actual salary for Canadian players, whichever is lower.NEWS, Kassouf, Jeff, NWSL minimum and maximum salaries, team caps each rise 5-10% in 2021,equalizersoccer.com/2021/05/11/nwsl-minimum-maximum-salary-team-caps-rise-expenses-details/, May 11, 2021, The Equalizer, May 11, 2021, Non-federation players are subject to minimum and maximum salary limits.NEWS, NWSL Announces 2021 Roster Rules, Regulations and Competition Guidelines,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-2021-roster-rules-regulations-and-competition-guidelines, May 14, 2021, NWSL, May 13, 2021, Each team provides fully paid healthcare for its players, and also provides housing, either directly or through a stipend of no more than $3,000 per month. In addition, teams are allowed to provide their players with the use of a car valued at no more than $50,000. These expenses are specifically excluded from cap calculations.In 2019, the maximum senior roster size was expanded to 22 and the minimum to 20, with an additional four supplemental spots for players earning minimum salary that do not count against the salary cap.NEWS, Purdy, Jacqueline, NWSL increases roster size ahead of the 2019 season,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-increases-roster-size-ahead-of-the-2019-season, January 10, 2019, National Women’s Soccer League, January 10, 2019, {{As of|2021|post=,}} the minimum senior roster size is 22 and the maximum 24, so each team could carry a maximum total of 28 players on its active roster.The NWSL introduced significant changes to its compensation guidelines before the 2020 season.NEWS, Levine, Matthew, NWSL announces new 2020 compensation guidelines,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-new-2020-compensation-guidelines, November 2, 2019, National Women’s Soccer League, November 1, 2019, In addition to a sizable increase in the salary cap and the salary limits for unallocated players, teams now can purchase up to $300,000 in “allocation money” in excess of the salary cap to invest in qualified current or future players; allocation money can be traded.NEWS, Kassouf, Jeff, NWSL approves $300,000 per team in allocation money, raises salaries league-wide,equalizersoccer.com/2019/11/01/nwsl-approves-300000-per-team-in-allocation-money-raises-salaries-league-minimum-maximum-cap-housing-standards/, November 2, 2019, The Equalizer, November 1, 2019, Multi-year contracts (up to three years plus one option year) are now permitted, year-round housing becomes mandatory, and the cap for permitted team assistance has been removed. When originally announced, allocation money could not be used to supplement the salaries of U.S. or Canadian federation players, and players could not refuse federation status to access allocation money. The allocation rules were quietly changed in advance of the 2020 season to allow players to refuse federation status, but this change did not become public knowledge until after the end of the abbreviated season. In the 2021 season, clubs were explicitly allowed to use allocation money to sign federation players.NEWS,equalizersoccer.com/2021/01/02/why-and-how-uswnt-players-will-start-accessing-nwsl-allocation-money/, Why and how USWNT players will start accessing NWSL allocation money, Jeff, Kassouf, The Equalizer, January 2, 2021, December 14, 2021, In 2021, salary for unallocated players and the team salary cap both increased between 5 and 10 percent.On December 13, 2021, as part of negotiations between U.S. Soccer and the union representing USWNT players, both agreed to end the allocation system for USWNT members, effective with the 2022 season. Starting in that season, the club salaries of all USWNT players will be paid directly by their NWSL clubs, and these players will be represented in their club employment by the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA).NEWS,equalizersoccer.com/2021/12/13/uswnt-ussf-sign-mou-extend-cba-march-31-abolish-nwsl-allocation-federation-pay/, USWNT, USSF sign MOU to extend CBA to March 31, abolish NWSL allocation system, Jeff, Kassouf, The Equalizer, December 13, 2021, December 14, 2021, The NWSL and the NWSLPA, the union representing all players in the NWSL, jointly announced on January 31, 2022, that they had entered into the league’s first official collective bargaining agreement, which will run through the 2026 season. Under this agreement, the minimum player salary increased to $35,000 in the 2022 season. Free agency will formally be added; players with six seasons of NWSL service will become unrestricted free agents in 2023, with the required service time reduced to five seasons from 2024. Additionally, starting in 2024, players with three seasons of NWSL service will receive restricted free agency. Also, should the league become profitable in any season from 2024 to 2026, the players will receive 10 percent of the league’s broadcast revenues in the applicable season.PRESS RELEASE,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-and-nwsl-players-association-agree-on-transformative-first-ever-cba-to-run-through-2026-season, National Women’s Soccer League and NWSL Players Association Agree on Transformative, First-Ever CBA to Run Through 2026 Season, National Women’s Soccer League, January 31, 2022, February 1, 2022, WEB,equalizersoccer.com/quick-update/nwsl-cba-details-maximum-salary-team-caps-age-limit/, NWSL CBA details: Max salary, team caps, more – Equalizer Soccer, Jeff, Kassouf, February 2022, On August 25, 2022, the NWSLPA filed a grievance against the NWSL after the league announced the omission of 22 players from a list of 26 who would become eligible to negotiate free-agent contracts for the 2023 season. The league contended that the contracts of the 22 omitted players included one or more option years that each player’s club must first decline to exercise by the deadline of November 15 before the player would be eligible for free agency. The players association contended that the contracts expired on their expiration date, and not the option exercise deadline. The players association expected the league to deny the grievance, and for the dispute to enter arbitration.NEWS,www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-nwsl/story/4729819/nwsl-players-association-files-grievance-against-league-over-free-agency-for-22-players, NWSL Players Association files grievance against league over free agency for 22 players, August 25, 2022, August 25, 2022, ESPN, Jeff, Carlisle, NEWS,prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/2022/08/25/nwsl-free-agency-nwslpa-dispute/, NWSL free agency begins, but NWSL Players Association disputes eligibility, August 25, 2022, August 25, 2022, USA Today, Pro Soccer Wire, Jason, Anderson, {| class=“wikitable plainrowheaders“|+Salaries in the National Women’s Soccer League!scope=“col” rowspan=2 | Season!scope=“col” rowspan=2 | Salary cap!scope=“colgroup” colspan=2 | Salary limits{{small|(for players ineligible for allocation money)}}!scope=“col” rowspan=2 | Allocation money!scope=“col“| Minimum!scope=“col“| Maximum!scope=“row“| 2013 N/A!scope=“row“| 2014 $265,000 $6,600 $31,500!scope=“row“| 2015| $37,800!scope=“row“| 2016| $39,700!scope=“row“| 2017| $41,700!scope=“row“| 2018| $44,000!scope=“row“| 2019| $46,200!scope=“row“| 2020| $300,000!scope=“row“| 2021| $400,000!scope=“row“| 2022| $500,000!scope=“row“| 2023NEWS,prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/lists/nwsl-reference-guide-2023-everything-you-need-to-know-for-the-upcoming-season/, NWSL reference guide 2023: Everything you need to know for the upcoming season, March 21, 2023, April 6, 2023, Pro Soccer Wire, USA Today, Jason, Anderson, The league’s definition changed from maximum salary to “cap charge” in 2023, defined as “adding the Player’s base salary to any additional compensation” in the player’s contract, “which includes performance bonus, roster bonus, agent fees, and excess benefits and/or excess Permitted Team Assistance costs”.}} $600,000 {{notelist}}

Players’ union

Active non-United States federation players, including unpaid amateur players, announced their formation of the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) on May 15, 2017, as the first step toward forming a union. The NWSL recognized the NWSLPA as the players’ union on November 15, 2018.NEWS,equalizersoccer.com/2018/11/15/nwslpa-legally-recognized-union-nwsl-relationship/, NWSLPA becomes legally recognized as union, opening doors to further improvements, The Equalizer, November 17, 2018, {{as of|February 2022|post=,}} the NWSLPA is led by civil rights attorney and former WPS players’ union organizer Meghann Burke.WEB,www.fifpro.org/news/interview-burke-leads-us-union-for-female-players/en/, INTERVIEW: Burke Leads New US Union, FIFPro, Monica, Gonzalez, May 16, 2017, June 21, 2017,web.archive.org/web/20180625021626/https://www.fifpro.org/news/interview-burke-leads-us-union-for-female-players/en/, June 25, 2018, dead, Prior to the 2022 season, the NWSLPA membership did not include United States federation players because those players were contracted to the US Soccer Federation for their NWSL play.MAGAZINE,www.si.com/planet-futbol/2017/05/15/nwsl-players-association-union, Non-allocated NWSL players take step toward forming union, Sports Illustrated, Associated Press, May 15, 2017, June 21, 2017, TWEET, NWSL_PA, Meghann Burke, 864177972223381504, [FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] NWSL Non-Allocated Players Announce the Formation of a Players Association, May 15, 2017, WEB,equalizersoccer.com/2017/05/15/non-allocated-players-form-nwsl-players-association/, Non-allocated players form NWSL Players Association, The Equalizer, May 15, 2017, June 21, 2017, With the abolition of the federation player system for 2022 and beyond, the NWSLPA now represents all players in the NWSL. The league and the NWSLPA entered into their first collective bargaining agreement in advance of that season.

League competitions

Championship and Shield

{{see also|NWSL Playoffs|NWSL Shield}}The winner of the NWSL Championship, the final match of the NWSL Playoffs, determines that season’s NWSL champion. In addition to receiving the championship trophy, the champion gets to add a star to the crest on its jersey. The playoffs, a single-elimination knockout tournament, are organized by the league in a format similar to other North American professional sports leagues. At the conclusion of the regular season, the top eight teams in the standings earn a berth to the tournament; prior to 2024 six teams qualified for the playoffs and prior to 2021, only the top four teams qualified for the playoffs. The league also awards the NWSL Shield to the team with the best record (most points) at the end of the regular season. Like the playoff championship, it is recognized as a major trophy by the league.The first NWSL Championship was played on September 1, 2013.WEB,www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/9622884/portland-thorns-win-nwsl-championship, Portland Thorns win NWSL championship, espnW, September 2013, March 9, 2019, {{As of|2023|11}}, six teams have been crowned NWSL Champions: Portland Thorns FC (3), FC Kansas City (2), North Carolina Courage (2), NJ/NY Gotham FC (1), Washington Spirit (1), and Western New York Flash (1). Five teams have claimed the NWSL Shield: North Carolina Courage (3), Seattle Reign FC (3), Portland Thorns FC (2), San Diego Wave FC (1), and Western New York Flash (1). The Reign were the first team to repeat as Shield winners in 2014 and 2015, and FC Kansas City were the first team to win consecutive championships in the same years, both times defeating the Reign.WEB,www.olreign.com/news/2021/8/26/on-this-day-in-reign-history-reign-clinch-second-nwsl-shield, On This Day in Reign History: Reign Clinch Second NWSL Shield, August 26, 2021, January 10, 2022, In 2018, the North Carolina Courage became the first team to win both the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship in the same season, a feat they repeated in 2019.WEB,www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/article218872660.html, NC Courage shuts out Portland Thorns for NWSL championship, avenging 2017 title game, charlotteobserver, March 9, 2019, The trophies won by FC Kansas City and Western New York officially remain with those teams and were not transferred to the expansion or successor teams in Utah and North Carolina that were assigned their player-related assets. This was a non-issue for Utah Royals FC, which won no trophies before folding and having its player-related assets transferred to the franchise now known as the Kansas City Current.WEB,www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/11/20/fc-kansas-city-of-womens-soccer-league-ends-operations/107881282/, FC Kansas City of women’s soccer league ends operations, November 20, 2017, January 10, 2022, Associated Press, WEB,equalizersoccer.com/2017/10/11/the-lowdown-is-2017-nwsl-championship-a-rematch-or-isnt-it/, The Lowdown: Is 2017 NWSL Championship a rematch or isn’t it?, October 11, 2017, January 10, 2022, The Equalizer, equalizersoccer.com, {| class=“wikitable sortable plainrowheaders” style="text-align:left;margin-left:1em;“|+Overview of National Women’s Soccer League champions!scope=“col“| Season!scope=“col“| NWSL champions{{small|Playoff winners}}!scope=“col“| NWSL Shield{{small|Regular-season winners}}!scope=“col“| Championship location!scope=“col“| Championship attendance!scope=“row“| 2013WEB,www.pitchsidereport.com/2013/09/01/portland-thorns-become-2013-nwsl-champions/, Portland Thorns Become 2013 NWSL Champions, September 1, 2013, Pitchside Report, March 9, 2019, November 19, 2020,www.pitchsidereport.com/2013/09/01/portland-thorns-become-2013-nwsl-champions/," title="web.archive.org/web/20201119074533www.pitchsidereport.com/2013/09/01/portland-thorns-become-2013-nwsl-champions/,">web.archive.org/web/20201119074533www.pitchsidereport.com/2013/09/01/portland-thorns-become-2013-nwsl-champions/, dead, Portland Thorns FC}}Western New York Flash}}Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium>Sahlen’s Stadium, Rochester, New York| 9,129!scope=“row“| 2014WEB,www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article25878946.html, ‘Pure disappointment’ for Reign as Kansas City takes NWSL title, thenewstribune, March 9, 2019, FC Kansas City}}Seattle Reign FC}}| Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, Washington| 4,252!scope=“row“| 2015WEB,www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2018/09/portland_thorns_home_game.html, Portland Thorns motivated to hoist championship trophy in front of home fans, Goldberg, Jamie, September 22, 2018, The Oregonian, March 9, 2019, FC Kansas City (2)}}Seattle Reign FC (2)}}| Providence Park, Portland, Oregon| 13,264!scope=“row“| 2016WEB,mlsmultiplex.com/2017/10/17/attendance-shocker-2017-nwsl-championship/, Attendance Shocker at 2017 NWSL Championship, October 17, 2017, MLS Multiplex, March 9, 2019, Western New York Flash}}Portland Thorns FC}}Shell Energy Stadium>BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas| 8,255!scope=“row“| 2017WEB,www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2017/10/portland_thorns_win_2017_nwsl.html, Portland Thorns win 2017 NWSL Championship with 1-0 victory over North Carolina Courage, Goldberg, Jamie, October 15, 2017, The Oregonian, March 9, 2019, Portland Thorns FC (2)}}North Carolina Courage}}Exploria Stadium>Orlando City Stadium, Orlando, Florida| 8,124!scope=“row“| 2018NEWS,www.nytimes.com/2018/09/22/sports/soccer/nwsl-championship-courage-thorns.html, North Carolina Wins N.W.S.L. Championship in a Rematch, Associated Press, September 22, 2018, The New York Times, March 9, 2019, 0362-4331, North Carolina Courage}}North Carolina Courage (2)}}| Providence Park, Portland, Oregon| 21,144!scope=“row“| 2019WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/game/utah-royals-vs-north-carolina-courage-2019-09-21, North Carolina Courage claims third-straight NWSL Shield with 3-0 win over Utah Royals FC, Levine, Matthew, National Women’s Soccer League, September 22, 2019, September 22, 2019, North Carolina Courage (2)}}North Carolina Courage (3)}}Sahlen’s Stadium, Cary, North Carolina}}| 10,227!scope=“row“| 2020WEB,equalizersoccer.com/2020/11/18/nwsl-2021-challenge-cup-six-team-playoffs-regular-season-schedule/, NWSL announces return of Challenge Cup in 2021, six-team playoffs following regular season, Kassouf, Jeff, NBC Sports, November 18, 2020, Canceled!scope=“row“| 2021PRESS RELEASE,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/joint-statement-from-the-nwsl-nwslpa, Joint Statement from the NWSL and NWSLPA, National Women’s Soccer League, October 13, 2021, October 14, 2021, Washington Spirit}}Portland Thorns FC (2)}}| Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky| 10,360!scope=“row“| 2022WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/game/portland-thorns-fc-vs-kansas-city-current-2022-10-29/latest, National Women’s Soccer League Official Site {{pipe, NWSL|website=www.nwslsoccer.com}}Portland Thorns FC (3)}}OL Reign (3)}}| Audi Field, Washington, D.C.| 17,624!scope=“row“| 2023WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/game/ol-reign-vs-nj-ny-gotham-fc-2023-11-11/latest, National Women’s Soccer League Official Site {{pipe, NWSL|website=www.nwslsoccer.com}}NJ/NY Gotham FC}}San Diego Wave FC}}| Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, California| 25,011

Championship records

Italics indicates a defunct team.{{#section-h:NWSL Playoffs|Playoff results}}

Shield records

{{#section-h:NWSL Shield|Shield winners}}

Challenge Cup

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented the regular season from starting. Instead the league played the newly announced Challenge Cup, a tournament-style competition, starting in late June, with all teams in a protective bubble in Salt Lake City. This made the NWSL the first professional team sport in the U.S. to restart during the pandemic.WEB, Levine, Matthew, May 27, 2020, NWSL announces 2020 Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-2020-challenge-cup-presented-by-pg-and-secret, October 13, 2020, NWSL Soccer, en-US, NEWS, Goff, Steven, June 26, 2020, NWSL Challenge Cup opens this weekend, making women’s soccer first U.S. team sport back,www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/06/25/nwsl-challenge-cup-opens-this-weekend-making-womens-soccer-first-us-team-sport-back/, October 13, 2020, The Washington Post, en-US, The Houston Dash won the inaugural Challenge Cup, topping the Chicago Red Stars in the final.WEB, July 26, 2020, Houston Dash win maiden trophy, topping Chicago in Challenge Cup final,www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jul/26/houston-dash-chicago-red-stars-nwsl-challenge-cup, October 13, 2020, The Guardian, en, In November 2020, the NWSL announced that the Challenge Cup would become an annual league cup competition. The 2021 Challenge Cup was played in April and May prior to the regular season, with the Portland Thorns FC emerging as victors over NJ/NY Gotham FC in the final.WEB, NWSL Schedule,www.nwslsoccer.com/schedule, April 22, 2021, National Women’s Soccer League, WEB, Donovan, Mike, May 8, 2021, Challenge Cup Championship Recap {{!, Portland Thorns FC 1 (6), NJ/NY Gotham FC 1 (5)|url=https://www.timbers.com/post/2021/05/08/challenge-cup-championship-recap-portland-thorns-fc-xxx-njny-gotham-fc-xxx|url-status=dead|access-date=May 8, 2021|website=Portland Thorns FC|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508234934www.timbers.com/post/2021/05/08/challenge-cup-championship-recap-portland-thorns-fc-xxx-njny-gotham-fc-xxx}} The 2022 Challenge Cup was played from March to May of that year and was won by the North Carolina Courage. The 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup was played concurrently with the NWSL season,WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-2023-season-schedule-footprint, NWSL Announces 2023 Season Schedule Footprint, November 17, 2022, www.NWSLSoccer.com, National Women’s Soccer League, December 7, 2023, and the North Carolina Courage won their second straight NWSL Challenge Cup.WEB,www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/09/uswnt-rewind-north-carolina-courage-claim-2023-nwsl-challenge-cup, USWNT rewind: North Carolina Courage claim 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup, September 11, 2023, www.USSoccer.com, United States Soccer Federation, December 7, 2023, In 2024, the Challenge Cup became a super cup contested by the previous season’s NWSL Shield holder and NWSL Champion. Should the same team win both trophies, the Challenge Cup would be a rematch of the previous season’s championship game. The 2023 NWSL Shield winners San Diego Wave FC defeated the NWSL Champion’s NJ/NY Gotham FC to win the 2024 Challenge Cup.WEB, Emerick, Tyler, 2024-03-16, San Diego Wave FC Defeat 1-0 NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2024 UKG NWSL Challenge Cup,sandiegowavefc.com/san-diego-wave-fc-defeat-1-0-nj-ny-gotham-fc-in-2024-ukg-nwsl-challenge-cup/, 2024-03-25, San Diego Wave Fútbol Club, en-US, {| class=“wikitable plainrowheaders” style="text-align:left;margin-left:1em;“|+Overview of Challenge Cup champions!scope=“col“| Season!scope=“col“| Champions!scope=“col“| Runners-up!scope=“col“| Final location!scope=“row“| 2020| Houston Dash| Chicago Red Stars| Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy, Utah!scope=“row“| 2021| Portland Thorns FC| NJ/NY Gotham FC| Providence Park, Portland, Oregon!scope=“row“| 2022| North Carolina Courage| Washington SpiritWakeMed Soccer Park>Sahlen’s Stadium, Cary, North Carolina!scope=“row“| 2023| North Carolina Courage (2)| Racing Louisville FC| WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary, North Carolina!scope=“row“|2024| San Diego Wave FC| NJ/NY Gotham FC (2)Red Bull Arena (New Jersey)>Red Bull Arena, Harrison, New Jersey

Fall Series

In September and October 2020, the league played the Fall Series, in which the nine teams were divided into three geographic “pods” to minimize travel during the COVID-19 pandemic; each team played a home-and-away round-robin within its pod.WEB, August 25, 2020, NWSL to continue breakout 2020 season with fall series,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-to-continue-breakout-2020-season-with-fall-series, October 13, 2020, NWSL Soccer, en-US, The Portland Thorns earned 12 points, the maximum possible, and won the Fall Series and the associated trophy, the Community Shield (named Verizon Community Shield for sponsorship reasons).WEB, Levine, Matthew, October 10, 2020, Portland Thorns FC clinch first place in Verizon Community Shield with victory over OL Reign,www.nwslsoccer.com/game/ol-reign-vs-portland-thorns-2020-10-10, October 13, 2020, NWSL Soccer,

Broadcasting

File:Portland Thorns vs Chicago Red Stars cameras 20230521.jpg|thumb|The NWSL increased the number and quality of cameras used for matches during the 2022 season.]]{{further|National Women’s Soccer League on television}}

2013–2016: YouTube, Fox Sports, ESPN

During the 2013–2016 seasons, the majority of league games were available for viewing via YouTube or via individual team’s websites.WEB, National Women’s Soccer League,www.youtube.com/nwslsoccer, YouTube, September 21, 2013, Of the eight teams in the league during the inaugural season, the Boston Breakers were the only team that charged a fee for access to their broadcasts.WEB, Murray, Caitlin, Assessing Year 1, future of NWSL livestreams,equalizersoccer.com/2013/08/14/assessing-year-1-future-of-nwsl-livestreams/, The Equalizer, September 21, 2013, August 14, 2013, On April 18, 2013, NWSL signed a one-year agreement with Fox Sports 2 to televise six regular season games, the semifinal, and championship games.WEB,nwslsoccer.com/home/711844.html, NWSL, FSMG announce national TV agreement, National Women’s Soccer League, April 28, 2013, On May 28, 2014, the NWSL signed a one-year agreement with ESPN to televise nine games of the 2014 NWSL season. The matches included three regular season and three playoff matches on ESPN2, as well as 3 regular season games live-streamed on ESPN3.WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/home/812790.html, NWSL and ESPN announce national broadcast agreement, National Women’s Soccer League, May 28, 2014, July 20, 2014,www.nwslsoccer.com/home/812790.html," title="web.archive.org/web/20140530233834www.nwslsoccer.com/home/812790.html,">web.archive.org/web/20140530233834www.nwslsoccer.com/home/812790.html, May 30, 2014, dead, On June 30, 2015, the NWSL announced a one-year agreement with Fox Sports once more to cover ten matches. Three regular season and three playoff matches were televised on FS1, and four live-streamed on Fox Sports Go.WEB, Jamie, Goldberg,www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2015/06/nwsl_and_fox_sports_announce_n.html, NWSL and Fox Sports announce national broadcast deal, The Oregonian, June 30, 2015, May 10, 2016, The agreement was extended into 2016 under another one-year contract, covering three regular season matches and the three playoff matches, once again on FS1.WEB,www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2016/04/fox_sports_to_broadcast_six_nw.html, The Oregonian, Fox Sports to broadcast six NWSL games in 2016, April 14, 2016, May 10, 2016,

2017–2019: Lifetime and go90, ESPN

On February 2, 2017, the NWSL announced three-year agreements with A&E Networks and Verizon Communications’ streaming platform go90. A&E’s women’s cable network Lifetime broadcast 22 regular-season matches as the NWSL Game of the Week at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoons, as well as three post-season matches. This marked the first time that the NWSL had a weekly broadcast window throughout the entire season. As part of the deal, A&E Networks purchased a 25 percent equity stake in the NWSL and were granted two seats on the league’s board. The company also formed a joint venture with the league known as NWSL Media to oversee the league’s marketing and broadcast rights, and Lifetime became a league-wide kit sponsor for all players. This deal marked the first time Lifetime had broadcast sports since the WNBA in the late 1990s and early 2000s.WEB, NWSL, go90 announce exclusive streaming partnership,www.blackandredunited.com/washington-spirit-womens-soccer/2017/4/13/15282800/nwsl-streaming-go90-2017, Black and Red United (SBNation), April 13, 2017, April 14, 2017, WEB, Lifetime To Air National Women’s Soccer League Games As A+E Networks Kicks in For Equity Stake,deadline.com/2017/02/lifetime-national-womens-soccer-league-tv-deal-ae-networks-stake-1201900415/, Deadline Hollywood, February 2, 2017, February 3, 2017, WEB, A+E Networks, National Women’s Soccer League Ink Major Deal,variety.com/2017/tv/news/womens-soccer-lifetime-1201975617/, Variety, February 2, 2017, February 3, 2017, WEB,www.wsj.com/articles/a-e-networks-buys-stake-in-national-womens-soccer-league-1486048177, A+E Networks Buys Stake in National Women’s Soccer League, The Wall Street Journal, Keach, Hagey, February 2, 2017, June 19, 2017, WEB,www.nytimes.com/2017/02/02/sports/soccer/nwsl-lifetime-television-sponsor.html, In A&E, Women’s Soccer League Gets an Investor and a Bigger Platform, The New York Times, Andrew, Das, February 2, 2017, June 20, 2017, Lifetime also streamed the game of the week in the United States via its website, and internationally in the NWSL website and iOS app. The remaining games were initially streamed in the United States exclusively by go90, and through the NWSL website internationally.The quality of the streams on go90 faced criticism, with sportswriters, users, and players and team staff criticizing the service for its inconsistent quality and arguing that the NWSL’s growth could be harmed by go90’s relative lack of reach and prominence when compared to YouTube.WEB,www.themaneland.com/2017/5/15/15639158/go90-deal-puts-nwsl-and-orlando-pride-in-dire-situation, Go90 Deal Puts NWSL and Orlando Pride in Dire Situation, The Maneland (SB Nation), Sean, Rollins, May 15, 2017, June 19, 2017, WEB,www.thebluetestament.com/2017/5/1/15496402/the-nwsls-go90-deal-could-be-hurting-the-league-fc-kansas-city, The NWSL’s go90 Deal Could Be Hurting the League, The Blue Testament (SB Nation), Chad C, Smith, May 1, 2017, June 19, 2017, The Equalizer noted that the app was prone to crashing, did not have the same wide device support as YouTube,WEB,equalizersoccer.com/2017/04/13/lee-nwsl-missed-the-mark-with-go90/, Lee: NWSL missed the mark with go90, The Equalizer, Allison, Lee, April 13, 2017, June 19, 2017, and that the telecasts themselves suffered from their own technical problems (such as poor camera angles and glitches with graphics), but that the streams were good when they worked.WEB,equalizersoccer.com/2017/05/17/run-of-play-technical-difficulties/, Run of Play: Technical Difficulties, The Equalizer, Chelsey, Bush, May 17, 2017, June 19, 2017, On May 19, 2017, the league announced that they would additionally stream games on the NWSL website and app in the U.S. until the technical issues with go90 were rectified.NEWS,equalizersoccer.com/2017/05/19/nwsl-to-offer-streams-on-league-site-app/, NWSL to offer streams on league site, app, The Equalizer, October 23, 2017, After Houston Dash player Rachel Daly collapsed on the pitch after a match in Houston, on May 27 – where the heat index was reportedly over 100 degrees Fahrenheit – she was carried off on a stretcher and hospitalized for heat illness. League operations director Amanda Duffy subsequently announced that the NWSL Game of the Week matches, many of which were slated for the hottest parts of the day in humid cities such as Houston, Orlando, and Cary, North Carolina, would be rescheduled to allow for longer hydration breaks. Some Game of the Week matches changed to other venues, and teams not scheduled for television were granted more flexibility in rescheduling kickoffs for player safety. The league also adopted new procedures for addressing heat and rescheduling matches.WEB,screengrabber.deadspin.com/rachel-daly-collapses-is-taken-off-on-stretcher-at-end-1795609863, Rachel Daly Collapses, Is Taken Off on Stretcher at End of Match, Deadspin, Timothy, Burke, May 27, 2017, June 20, 2017, WEB,www.socceramerica.com/article/73769/nwsl-measures-adopted-to-deal-with-afternoon-heat.html, NWSL: Measures adopted to deal with afternoon heat, Soccer America, Paul, Kennedy, June 13, 2017, June 20, 2017, On June 6, 2018, it was announced that six Game of the Week matches through the remainder of the season would move to evening kickoffs and air on ESPNews (which is owned by a sister venture to A&E Networks), in an effort to ensure the safety of players, as well as improve attendance.NEWS,www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2018/06/nwsl_hopes_moving_games_to_eve.html, NWSL hopes moving games to evening slot on ESPNews will boost attendance, ensure player safety, The Oregonian, July 9, 2018, Go90 shut down in July 2018; the remaining games not aired on television were moved back to the NWSL website for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.NEWS,www.oregonlive.com/portland-thorns/2018/07/nwsl_will_stream_games_on_webs.html, NWSL will stream games on website in August and September after go90 shuts down, The Oregonian, November 4, 2018, On February 20, 2019, the NWSL announced that A&E Networks had pulled out of its broadcasting agreement with the league one season early. A&E’s stake in NWSL Media was given back to the league, but Lifetime remained a kit sponsor. NWSL president Amanda Duffy said the changes would give the league and its teams finer control over its media and sponsorship agreements, and expected to announce a new television rights deal soon. Verizon Media remained the U.S. digital rightsholder to the league, but the streams moved from go90 to the Yahoo! Sports website and apps.WEB,equalizersoccer.com/2019/02/20/nwsl-a-e-networks-end-partnership-early-analysis-world-cup-year-tv-streaming-rights/, The NWSL’s partnership with A+E is over. Now what?, The Equalizer, Kassouf, Jeff, February 20, 2019, February 21, 2019, The NWSL did not reach any national television deals before the start of the 2019 season,WEB,www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/how-to-watch-nwsl-matches-this-season/, How to watch NWSL matches this season, Romero, Iliana Limón, April 13, 2019, Pro Soccer USA, April 19, 2019, April 19, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190419190451/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/how-to-watch-nwsl-matches-this-season/, dead, but after their opening match, the Chicago Red Stars reached their own television deal with the regional sports network NBC Sports Chicago.WEB,www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/chicago-red-stars/nwsl-chicago-nbc-redstars-tv-kerr-2019/, NWSL: NBC Sports Chicago to broadcast Red Stars, Northam, Mitchell, April 17, 2019, Pro Soccer USA, April 19, 2019, April 19, 2019,web.archive.org/web/20190419124557/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/nwsl/chicago-red-stars/nwsl-chicago-nbc-redstars-tv-kerr-2019/, dead, In July 2019, the NWSL announced that ESPN had acquired a 14-match package for the remainder of the season divided among ESPNews and ESPN2, including the semifinals and championship match.WEB,awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-to-show-14-nwsl-games-including-playoffs-for-the-rest-of-2019-season.html, ESPN to show 14 NWSL games, including playoffs, for the rest of 2019 season, July 4, 2019, Awful Announcing, July 5, 2019,

2020–2023: CBS Sports and Twitch

In October 2019, the NWSL signed the agency Octagon to market its media rights. It was reported that Octagon was pursuing multi-year agreements of at least three years and stronger broadcaster commitments, as to help build an audience and discourage broadcasters from acquiring NWSL rights to (wikt:ride the coattails|ride the coattails) of the U.S. national team and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but then “abandon” it afterward.WEB,www.sportspromedia.com/news/nwsl-octagon-three-year-us-broadcast-deals-media-rights, Octagon insists on three-year minimums for NWSL US broadcast deals, says report, SportsPro Media, December 4, 2019, January 2, 2020, On March 11, 2020, the NWSL entered into a three-year media agreement with CBS Sports and Amazon-owned streaming service Twitch.NEWS, Levine, Matthew, NWSL announces landmark multi-year media agreements with CBS Sports featuring games on CBS, CBS Sports Network, & CBS All-Access and Twitch,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/nwsl-announces-landmark-multi-year-media-agreements-with-cbs-sports-featuring-games-on-cbs-cbs-sports-cbs-all-access-and-twitch, March 17, 2020, NWSL, March 11, 2020, For the 2020 season, CBS Sports planned to broadcast 87 matches (including the playoffs) split between CBS, CBS Sports Network, and CBS All Access (now Paramount+) in Canada and the United States, with the exact distribution among the channels subject to change, while Twitch planned to stream an additional 24 matches for free. Twitch also became the NWSL’s international media rightsholder and streamed all matches outside Canada and the United States for free.WEB,www.theverge.com/2020/3/11/21175118/twitch-national-womens-soccer-league-matches-amazon-sports-streaming, Amazon continues push into sports with National Women’s Soccer League on Twitch, Alexander, Julia, March 11, 2020, The Verge, March 13, 2020, WEB,www.sportsvideo.org/2020/03/12/nwsl-inks-multi-year-deal-with-cbs-sports-twitch/, NWSL Inks Multi-Year Deal With CBS Sports, Twitch, Sports Video Group, March 12, 2020, March 13, 2020, In September 2021, players publicly complained about the 2021 NWSL championship match’s announced the 9 a.m. PDT kickoff time in the neutral-site host city of Portland, Oregon, which was required for the league’s noon EDT broadcast slot provided by CBS.NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/09/06/nwsl-championship-complaints-turf/, NWSL players criticize decision to host championship game on turf at 9 a.m., September 6, 2021, May 22, 2023, The Washington Post, Scott, Allen, The league responded by moving the match to Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, in the Eastern Time Zone.NEWS, October 14, 2021, ‘A world-class city’: Next month’s NWSL Championship game moves to Louisville,www.courier-journal.com/story/sports/soccer/2021/10/14/nwsl-championship-2021-moves-louisvilles-lynn-family-stadium/8454159002/, May 22, 2023, The Courier-Journal, en-US, Following criticism of match broadcast quality,WEB, OL Reign’s Jess Fishlock calls out NWSL broadcast quality,justwomenssports.com/article/jess-fishlock-calls-out-nwsl-broadcast/, May 22, 2023, Just Women’s Sports, July 30, 2022, en-US, NEWS,www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2021/07/27/nwsl-broadcats/, As NWSL gets more airtime, broadcasts struggle to keep pace, July 27, 2021, May 22, 2023, The Washington Post, Ben, Strauss, the NWSL announced improvements to cameras, infrastructure, and staffing in August 2022, with additional improvements necessary to support the introduction of video assistant referees in 2023.WEB, July 13, 2022, NWSL announces VAR, expansion, improved broadcasts all on the way,prosoccerwire.usatoday.com/2022/07/13/nwsl-expansion-var-broadcasts-jessica-berman/, May 22, 2023, Pro Soccer Wire, en-US, WEB, NWSL commissioner: Updates on expansion, VAR, broadcast rights,justwomenssports.com/article/nwsl-commissioner-jessica-berman-expansion-var-salary/, May 22, 2023, Just Women’s Sports, January 13, 2023, en-US, WEB, Digital, Brandon Costa, Director of, March 27, 2023, NWSL Kicks Off New Season With Improved Broadcast Resources Deployed Across Entire Lineup of Matches,www.sportsvideo.org/2023/03/27/nwsl-kicks-off-new-season-with-improved-broadcast-resources-deployed-across-entire-lineup-of-matches/, May 22, 2023, Sports Video Group, en, CBS Sports did not renew its rights beyond 2023 during its exclusive negotiating window. The league’s contract with Twitch expired after the 2022 season, with the U.S. rights to the matches reverting to CBS.WEB, Lucia, Joe, March 15, 2023, NWSL announces media coverage plans for 2023 season, including six games on CBS,awfulannouncing.com/soccer/nwsl-announces-media-coverage-plans-for-2023-season-including-six-games-on-cbs.html, March 15, 2023, Awful Announcing, en-US, The NWSL stated that matches would stream internationally on its website as part of an agreement with Endeavor Streaming, while also reaching agreements with TSN (Canada), DAZN (Brazil, Japan, UK, and 12 European territories), and Tigo (Central America).WEB, Lucia, Joe, January 12, 2023, NWSL media rights heading to market after CBS exclusive negotiating window lapses,awfulannouncing.com/nwsl/nwsl-media-rights-heading-to-market-after-cbs-exclusive-negotiating-window-lapses.html, March 9, 2023, Awful Announcing, en-US, WEB, Lucia, Joe, March 8, 2023, NWSL strikes media rights deal with TSN in Canada,awfulannouncing.com/soccer/nwsl-strikes-media-rights-deal-with-tsn-in-canada.html, March 9, 2023, Awful Announcing, en-US, WEB, Lucia, Joe, March 24, 2023, NWSL launches international streaming service with Endeavor, also strikes deal with DAZN,awfulannouncing.com/soccer/nwsl-launches-international-streaming-service-with-endeavor-also-strikes-deal-with-dazn.html, March 24, 2023, Awful Announcing, en-US, On June 6, 2023, Tigo also added free Spanish-language streams of two regular-season NWSL matches per week, the NWSL Challenge Cup playoffs, and NWSL playoffs in the United States and Canada.PRESS RELEASE,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-tigo-sports-launch-first-ever-spanish-language-broadcast-program, NWSL, Tigo Sports Launch First-Ever Spanish-Language Broadcast Program, June 6, 2023, June 6, 2023, National Women’s Soccer League,

2024–present: CBS, Amazon, ESPN and Ion

On November 9, 2023, the NWSL announced multi-year deals with CBS Sports, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and Scripps Sports, reported to be valued in total at around $60 million per-season (in comparison to the roughly $1.5 million paid by CBS under the previous agreement).WEB, Tannenwald, Jonathan, November 9, 2023, The NWSL signs new broadcast deals with CBS, ESPN, Amazon, and ION worth $60 million a year,www.inquirer.com/soccer/nwsl-tv-streaming-cbs-espn-amazon-prime-video-ion-20231109.html, November 10, 2023, Inquirer.com, en,

• On CBS and streaming on Paramount+, CBS Sports will air at least 10 regular season matches, one quarter-final, one semi-final, and the championship. Eight matches will air exclusively on CBS Sports Network.WEB, Lucia, Joe, November 9, 2023, NWSL announces new media rights deals, reportedly paying $60 million annually,awfulannouncing.com/soccer/nwsl-new-media-rights-deals-espn-amazon-scripps-cbs.html, November 10, 2023, Awful Announcing, en-US,
• Prime Video will stream the season opening match, 25 regular season matches on Friday nights, and one quarter-final.
• ESPN will air 17 regular season matches, two quarter-finals, and one semi-final on ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC, and streaming on ESPN+.
• Ion Television will air 50 regular season matches per-season, consisting of primetime doubleheaders on Saturday nights.
• The remaining matches not covered by these contracts are streamed for free on the league-owned NWSL+ streaming service. Individual teams also have the option to sell the rights to these matches to regional sports networks or broadcast stations in their local markets, though the NWSL+ stream is not blacked out.NEWS, Sperry, Daniel, NWSL announces new 2024 TV rights deal with Prime, Scripps,www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/kc-current/article281667588.html, Kansas City Star, November 9, 2023,

Statistical leaders

WEB,fbref.com/en/comps/182/NWSL-Stats, 2021 NWSL Stats NWSL, www.FBref.com, Cooper, Jen (2019), Keeper Notes NWSL Almanac, Keeper Notes, p. 8.Cooper, Jen (2021), Keeper Notes NWSL Almanac, p. 13.Bold indicates active NWSL players.{{Col-begin}}{{Col-2}}{| class=“wikitable” style="text-align:center“|+ NWSL All-Time Leading GoalscorersRegular Season Only as of December 31, 2023!Rank!Player!Goals|1Sam Kerr!77 |2Lynn Williams (soccer)>Lynn Williams!64 |3Christine Sinclair!62 |4Alex Morgan!60 |5Jessica McDonald!54 |6Megan Rapinoe!51 |7Christen Press!47 |8Ashley Hatch!46 |9Debinha!44 |10Carli Lloyd!43 {{Col-2}}{| class=“wikitable” style="text-align:center“|+ NWSL Most AppearancesRegular Season Only as of December 31, 2023!Rank!Player!Games|1Lauren Barnes|211|2McCall Zerboni|204|3Merritt Mathias|183|4Jessica McDonald|182|5Jess Fishlock|1806Christine Sinclair|176Ali Krieger|1768Allie Long|172Jasmyne Spencer|172|10 Kristie Mewis|171{{Col-end}}{{Col-begin}}{{Col-2}}{| class=“wikitable” style="text-align: left“|+Most assists (career)Regular Season Only as of December 31, 2023!Rank!Player !Assists! rowspan=“2” |1{{flagicon>USA}} Sofia Huerta! rowspan=“2” |31USA}} Jessica McDonald!3{{flagicon>USA}} Lynn Williams!28!4{{flagicon>USA}} Alex Morgan!27! rowspan=“2” |5JPN}} Nahomi Kawasumi! rowspan=“2” |26USA}} Megan Rapinoe!7{{flagicon>WAL}} Jess Fishlock!25! rowspan=“5” |8{{flagicon>USA}} Vanessa DiBernardo! rowspan=“5” |24{{flagicon>USA}} Crystal DunnUSA}} Tobin HeathAUS}} Sam Kerr{{flagicon>JPN}} YÅ«ki Nagasato{{Col-2}}{| class=“wikitable” style="text-align: center“|+Most Shutouts (career)Regular Season Only as of December 31, 2023!#!Player!Shutouts!Apps|1Nicole Barnhart|52|144|2Alyssa Naeher|43|163|3Adrianna Franch|42|127|4Casey Murphy|32|80|5Kailen Sheridan|31|1176Jane Campbell (soccer)>Jane Campbell30|103Aubrey Kingsbury|119|8Bella Bixby|24|57|9Ashlyn Harris|22|135|10Katelyn Rowland|20|60{{Col-end}}

NWSL awards

Throughout the season, the league awards Player of the Month, Team of the Month, and Player of the Week awards to individual players, which are voted on by the media. At the end of each season, the league presents six annual awards for outstanding achievements, five of which are voted on by players, owners, general managers, coaches, media, and fans.WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-announces-2023-nwsl-award-finalists, National Women’s Soccer League Official Site {{pipe, NWSL|website=www.nwslsoccer.com|date=October 24, 2023 }} The current (2023) holders of the annual awards are as follows:

1. Golden Boot: Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns FC (11 goals)WEB, November 11, 2023, Portland Thorns FC Forward Sophia Smith Wins 2023 NWSL Golden Boot,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/portland-thorns-fc-forward-sophia-smith-wins-2023-nwsl-golden-boot, November 11, 2023, National Women’s Soccer League,
2. Most Valuable Player: Kerolin, North Carolina CourageWEB, November 11, 2023, North Carolina Courage Attacker Kerolin Named 2023 NWSL Most Valuable Player,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/north-carolina-courage-attacker-kerolin-named-2023-nwsl-most-valuable-player-presented-by-bud-light, November 11, 2023, National Women’s Soccer League,
3. Rookie of the Year: Jenna Nighswonger, NJ/NY Gotham FCWEB, November 11, 2022, NJ/NY Gotham FC Midfielder/Defender Jenna Nighswonger Named 2023 NWSL Rookie of the Year,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nj-ny-gotham-fc-midfielder-defender-jenna-nighswonger-named-2023-nwsl-rookie-of-the-year-presented-by-ally, November 11, 2023, National Women’s Soccer League,
4. Goalkeeper of the Year: Jane Campbell, Houston DashWEB, November 11, 2023, Houston Dash Keeper Jane Campbell Named 2023 NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/houston-dash-keeper-jane-campbell-named-2023-nwslgoalkeeper-of-the-year, November 11, 2023, National Women’s Soccer League,
5. Defender of the Year: Naomi Girma, San Diego Wave FCWEB, November 11, 2023, San Diego Wave FC Centerback Naomi Girma Named 2023 NWSL Defender of the Year,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/san-diego-wave-fc-centerback-naomi-girma-named-2023-nwsl-defender-of-the-year, National Women’s Soccer League,
6. Coach of the Year: Juan Carlos Amorós, NJ/NY Gotham FCWEB, November 11, 2022, NJ/NY Gotham FC’s Juan Carlos Amorós Named 2023 NWSL Coach of the Year,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nj-ny-gotham-fcs-juan-carlos-amoros-named-2023-nwsl-coach-of-the-year, November 11, 2023, National Women’s Soccer League,

In addition, the league names a NWSL Best XI team and NWSL Second XI team, which are voted on by players, owners, general managers, coaches, media, and fans.WEB,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-winners-of-2023-mastercard-best-xi-awards, National Women’s Soccer League Official Site {{pipe, NWSL|website=www.nwslsoccer.com|date=November 6, 2023 }}“>

NWSL leadership {| class“wikitable”

! Name! Years! Title! {{abbr|Ref.|References}}| Cheryl Bailey| 2012–2014| CommissionerDATE=NOVEMBER 20, 2014 WORK=THE OREGONIAN LAST=GOLDBERG, | Jeff Plush| 2015–2017| CommissionerTHE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE >TITLE=JEFF PLUSH IS NEW COMMISSIONER OF WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE AGENCY=ASSOCIATED PRESS WORK=OURSPORTS CENTRAL DATE=MARCH 2, 2017, May 22, 2023, Amanda Duffy (soccer)>Amanda Duffy| 2017| Managing director of operationsDATE=JANUARY 6, 2020 URL=HTTPS://EQUALIZERSOCCER.COM/2020/01/06/AMANDA-DUFFY-STEPPING-DOWN-AS-NWSL-PRESIDENT/ LANGUAGE=EN-US, | Amanda Duffy| 2018–2019| Managing director| | Amanda Duffy| 2019–2020| PresidentTITLE=AMANDA DUFFY RESIGNS AS NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE PRESIDENT ACCESS-DATE=JANUARY 8, 2020 DATE=JANUARY 7, 2020, | Lisa Baird| 2020–2021| CommissionerFIRST=MEG WORK=THE ATHLETIC ACCESS-DATE=MAY 22, 2023, | Marla Messing| 2021–2022| Interim CEOPUBLISHER=NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE, October 18, 2021, | Jessica Berman| 2022–present| CommissionerPUBLISHER=NATIONAL WOMEN’S SOCCER LEAGUE, March 9, 2022, Former general manager of the United States women’s national soccer team Cheryl Bailey was announced by US Soccer President Sunil Gulati as the first commissioner of the NWSL on November 29, 2012.WEB,www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/13/26/cheryl-bailey-named-executive-director-of-new-womens-soccer-league, Cheryl Bailey Named Executive Director of New Women’s Soccer League, ussoccer.com, March 9, 2019, On November 18, 2014, she resigned after overseeing two seasons and the launch of the new professional league in less than five months ahead of the inaugural season.WEB,www.timbers.com/post/2014/11/18/nwsl-executive-director-cheryl-bailey-step-down, NWSL Executive Director Cheryl Bailey to step down, November 18, 2014, Portland Timbers, On January 6, 2015, Jeff Plush, managing director of Colorado Rapids and a former MLS board member, was named as Bailey’s successor.WEB,www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/nwsl-jeff-plush-is-new-commissioner-of-women-s-soccer-league-010615, NWSL names Jeff Plush as new women’s soccer league commissioner, Jan 6, foxsports, ET, 2015 at 6:27p, January 6, 2015, Fox Sports, March 9, 2019, Plush oversaw the 2015 and 2016 seasons, including the Orlando Pride expansion, a broadcast partnership with A+E Networks (including the three-year broadcast deal with Lifetime television), and the sale of the Western New York Flash to North Carolina FC owner Stephen Malik and the team’s relocation to North Carolina.WEB,www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/18437516/western-new-york-flash-defending-national-womens-soccer-league-champions-announce-move-north-carolina, Western New York Flash, defending National Womens Soccer League champions, announce move to North Carolina, espnW, January 9, 2017, March 9, 2019, During his tenure, former Louisville City FC president Amanda Duffy was hired in December 2016 as the NWSL’s managing director of operations.WEB,www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/news/latest-news/2016/12/womens-pro-soccerleague-names-new-president.html?page=all, Marty, Finley, December 20, 2016, Women’s pro soccer league names new presidentaccess-date=March 9, 2019, Plush resigned as commissioner on March 2, 2017, and the position remained vacant until 2020, although Duffy served as the public face of league management.WEB,americansoccernow.com/articles/amanda-duffy-addresses-nwsl-present-and-future, Amanda Duffy Addresses NWSL Present and Future, American Soccer Now, John D., Halloran, May 8, 2017, July 2, 2017, On January 15, 2019, Duffy was promoted to president, the league’s highest office.NEWS, Amanda Duffy named President of NWSL,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/amanda-duffy-named-president-of-nwsl, January 8, 2020, NWSL, January 15, 2019, On January 7, 2020, Amanda Duffy announced that she would leave the NWSL for a leadership position at the Orlando Pride on February 15, 2020.PRESS RELEASE, Long-Time Soccer Executive Amanda Duffy Appointed to Lead Orlando Pride,www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2020/01/07/long-time-soccer-executive-amanda-duffy-appointed-lead-orlando-pride, January 8, 2020, Orlando City SC, January 7, 2020, On February 27, 2020, the NWSL announced that Lisa Baird, chief marketing officer of the New York Public Radio, would become the league’s commissioner on March 10, 2020.PRESS RELEASE, Levine, Matthew, National Women’s Soccer League names Lisa Baird as Commissioner,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/article/national-womens-soccer-league-names-lisa-baird-as-commissioner, February 27, 2020, National Women’s Soccer League, February 27, 2020, Baird resigned on October 1, 2021, during the NWSL abuse scandal {{See below|{{section link||Controversies}}, below}}. On October 18, 2021, the league hired Marla Messing as its Interim CEO.PRESS RELEASE, October 18, 2021, National Women’s Soccer League Appoints Sports Executive Marla Messing as Interim CEO,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-appoints-sports-executive-marla-messing-as-interim-ceo, October 19, 2021, National Women’s Soccer League, On April 20, 2022, Jessica Berman became commissioner, overlapping with CEO Messing, who continued work until May 31.PRESS RELEASE, March 9, 2022, National Women’s Soccer League Names Jessica Berman Next Commissioner,www.nwslsoccer.com/news/national-womens-soccer-league-names-jessica-berman-next-commissioner, November 4, 2022, National Women’s Soccer League,

Sexual harassment in the NWSL

The NWSL has undergone many allegations and reports of sexual harassment, misconduct, and emotional abuse by coaches and staff over the years, and has received a significant amount of criticism.WEB, October 3, 2022, Abuse in the U.S. women’s pro soccer league was systemic, a report finds,www.npr.org/2022/10/03/1126587851/womens-soccer-abuse-nwsl-report, NPR, MAGAZINE, Press, Associated, October 3, 2022, Investigation Into NWSL Finds Emotional Abuse, Sexual Misconduct,www.si.com/soccer/2022/10/03/nwsl-investigation-emotional-abuse-sexual-misconduct, March 6, 2024, Sports Illustrated, en-us, WEB, Cash, Meredith, The NWSL may have contradicted its own anti-harassment policy in clearing a former head coach of wrongdoing,www.businessinsider.com/portland-thorns-rhian-wilkinson-cleared-nwsl-anti-harassment-policy-contradictions-2022-12, March 6, 2024, Business Insider, en-US,

See also

• List of foreign NWSL players
• Prominent women’s sports leagues in the United States and Canada
• Professional sports leagues in the United States
• List of professional sports teams in the United States and Canada
• Sexual Harassment in the NWSL
• Women’s soccer in the United States
• Women’s professional sports

Notes

{{notelist|refs={{efn|name=“rgn“|OL Reign was previously known as Reign FC and Seattle Reign FC.}}}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Division 1 Soccer | Prev=Women’s Professional Soccer | Years=2013–present | Next=Incumbent}}{{National Women’s Soccer League|state=expanded}}{{National Women’s Soccer League stadiums}}{{United States women’s national soccer team}}{{NWSL Challenge Cup}}{{US Women’s soccer}}{{Soccer in the United States}}{{Soccer in Canada}}{{CONCACAF women’s leagues}}{{Top level women’s association football leagues around the world}}{{Major women’s sport leagues in North America}}{{Top sport leagues in the United States}}