Quiet rise of rookies shows benefit of NWSL’s bold decision to ditch draft

Young players are impressing across the country following the American league’s very un-American moveFor the first time in its history, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) commenced a regular season this spring with no draft. A quintessentially American event, defined by hopes and dreams being on public display while teams trade players into the professional leagues without their explicit input, was scrapped by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the NWSL and the NWSL Players Association in August.In so doing, a league unafraid of reinvention became the first major professional sports league in the United States to forgo the draft. That’s a seismic shift by any measure, and while the move puts the NWSL in line with global football standards the long-term implications will take much longer to assess. After all, the draft was not simply an entertaining way to distribute talent while introducing them to the public on a celebratory stage; it was also a useful means of ensuring parity in a league proud of its competitiveness. In the words of the NWSL’s commissioner, Jessica Berman: “There actually is nothing to point to as a case study of how to make this transition, because there is no league that has gone from a world of a draft and having years of service, to being able to earn free agency and just having that melt away overnight.”This is an extract from our free weekly email, Moving the Goalposts. To get the full edition, visit this page and follow the instructions. Moving the Goalposts is back in to its twice-weekly format, delivered to your inboxes every Tuesday and Thursday. Continue reading...

Comments

Football news

Barry Didcock's Film review: Make It To Munich

Named: Striker who Erik ten Hag 'wanted to sign for Man United for £34m' - but is now worth less than £8.5m in major dodged bullet

about 4 hours ago

James Wilson in 'take some responsibility' Hearts Neil Critchley admission

Douglas Luiz hits back at fan following nightmare season at Juventus - after partner Alisha Lehmann was blasted for her role in title celebrations

about 6 hours ago

Football's most 'fashionable' teams go head-to-head: Arsenal vs PSG tonight pits Dua Lipa vs Beyonce... Anne Hathaway vs Leonardo DiCaprio... and Declan Rice vs a VERY stylish midfield

about 6 hours ago

Ryan Reynolds' and Rob McElhenney's legion of Australian Wrexham fans get some amazing news with bombshell announcement

about 6 hours ago

Peter Crouch insists that Liverpool's dominance could continue for 'two or three YEARS' with the signing of one Premier League rival's star player

about 6 hours ago

Officials confirmed for final Rangers vs Celtic clash of the season

Comments

Similar News

LIV Golf star Lee Westwood reveals why he's 'gone quiet' with Alan Shearer

Arsenal player ratings: Leandro Trossard gives Mikel Arteta food for thought as David Raya has quiet day at the office

Tottenham player ratings vs Frankfurt: Micky van de Ven and Lucas Bergvall step up but Brennan Johnson quiet

Barça quietly building one of the greatest UCL campaigns ever

Barry Ferguson reveals crunch Rangers showdown talks as 'quiet' stars find their voice with REAL response expected

The race for Europe gifts the Premier League run-in a quiet chaos

Chelsea player ratings vs Brentford: Nicolas Jackson shines off bench but Jadon Sancho very quiet

Football news

Barry Didcock's Film review: Make It To Munich

Dumbarton in talks with 'football-orientated' bidders after takeover collapse

Raheem Sterling 'should go down to the Championship' as Ryan Reynolds put on red alert

Antonio Rudiger undergoes surgery and set for long lay-off – as Real Madrid ace faces 12-GAME ban for hurling ice at ref

John Terry hails ‘man dressed as a shoe’ who overtook him then came back to help during London Marathon struggles

Real Madrid ‘set to go all out for William Saliba transfer as Florentino Perez chooses Arsenal star over Huijsen’

Wily Inter Milan can put the brakes on Barcelona’s Champions League charge

Marcus Rashford rejects Aston Villa and will take pay cut to join ‘dream club’

Football Association defends chief executive’s salary after huge bonus payment

Chelsea target Aston Villa star to bolster attack in summer transfer window

Nuno Espirito Santo says Nottingham Forest run-in ‘biggest games of our careers’

Barcelona XI vs Inter Milan: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Champions League

Inter Milan XI vs Barcelona: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Champions League semi-final

Arsenal legend Gilberto identifies 'massive weapon' ahead of PSG Champions League clash

Ryan Reynolds told what he'd have to offer Raheem Sterling to land stunning transfer

Daniel Farke reflected on 'unforgettable' experience after he was sacked as boss

Where Arsenal vs PSG is on TV for free as Champions League game not on TNT Sports

Marcus Rashford sets sight on next move after making £40m transfer decision

Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal doubles down on brutal Real Madrid taunts

Named: Striker who Erik ten Hag 'wanted to sign for Man United for £34m' - but is now worth less than £8.5m in major dodged bullet

James Wilson in 'take some responsibility' Hearts Neil Critchley admission

Scottish FA to introduce ban on transgender players in girls' and women's football

Stephen McGowan: Scottish FA trans ban after VAR inquest is simply common sense

Rio Ferdinand makes bold Man Utd claim after Liverpool win Premier League

Meghan Markle’s 'sliding doors' moment where she could have ended up with Chelsea hero

Dominic Solanke a shrewd selection for Gameweek 34 despite Tottenham’s miserable form

Newcastle leading race for Marc Guehi transfer but face battle with three rivals including Chelsea and Man City

Real Madrid make first approach to sign £27m Arsenal star

Ian Wright names PSG’s possible weak point against Arsenal

Former Arsenal defender Louise Quinn announces retirement

MPs urged to address ‘scandalous’ dementia support for families of ex-footballers

Carlo Ancelotti set to take over Brazil national team with Liverpool legend in line for Madrid call up

Arsenal warned PSG are ‘one of most dangerous sides in world football’ ahead of Champions League showdown

Astonishing Jurgen Klopp claim buzzes through Glasgow hotspots as Hotline source reveals next Rangers manager

Jose Mourinho sets off Rangers red alert as Fenerbahce supremo drops contradiction with two-sided claim

SFA set to ban transgender women competing in women's football

Paul Mullin shows true colours with actions towards Wrexham star who stole his place

Three players that meant Arne Slot didn't need transfers to win Premier League

Championship braced for last day chaos as THIRTEEN teams still to learn fate

Arne Slot told he's 'opened the gate' after two major Liverpool success stories

Richarlison showed true colours with gesture and left Jurgen Klopp with clear opinion

Mason Greenwood given backhanded compliment after matching Didier Drogba record

Douglas Luiz hits back at fan following nightmare season at Juventus - after partner Alisha Lehmann was blasted for her role in title celebrations

Football's most 'fashionable' teams go head-to-head: Arsenal vs PSG tonight pits Dua Lipa vs Beyonce... Anne Hathaway vs Leonardo DiCaprio... and Declan Rice vs a VERY stylish midfield

Ryan Reynolds' and Rob McElhenney's legion of Australian Wrexham fans get some amazing news with bombshell announcement

Peter Crouch insists that Liverpool's dominance could continue for 'two or three YEARS' with the signing of one Premier League rival's star player

Officials confirmed for final Rangers vs Celtic clash of the season

Celtic in line for unexpected transfer windfall as forgotten defender set for La Liga

Paul Pogba 'in talks' for exciting transfer to finally end Man Utd rumours

Chelsea star ‘expecting summer transfer’ after completing radical body transformation

Ryan Reynolds has incredible net worth after divorcing Hollywood start

Man Utd 'in talks to rip up Marcus Rashford plan' as Aston Villa chiefs summoned

Leeds fans make feelings known about Daniel Farke as he addresses sack threat

Jack Grealish ditches iconic hairstyle as he channels Man City team-mate Erling Haaland with ponytail

Franco Mastantuono sends message to Man Utd over £38m summer transfer

David Raya singles out Arsenal star who is ‘top three in the world’ ahead of PSG clash

Man Utd legend Paul Scholes reveals moment he knew Liverpool were Premier League title contenders

Man City: Season not a success even if we win the FA Cup, says Guardiola

How Arsenal will create special atmosphere for PSG clash as Mikel Arteta issues fan demand

Martin Odegaard makes Arsenal vow ahead of 'dream' Champions League showdown with PSG