All 14 NWSL teams have made their final end-of-year roster decisions, marking the start of the 2025 free agency period.
Athletes who are currently out-of-contract are now facing decisions on negotiating new terms with their teams or exploring opportunities elsewhere.
Notable players listed as out-of-contact include Marta from Orlando Pride and Kerolin from NC Courage. Several USWNT stars like Midge Purce from Gotham FC, Becky Sauerbrunn from Portland Thorns, and Christen Press from Angel City are also in offseason negotiations.
Some teams have revealed ongoing negotiations to retain key players like Press, Marta, and Kerolin in their final 2024 roster announcements.
New CBA means more NWSL movement
Under the league’s new CBA, players whose contract options are declined become unrestricted free agents, leading to roster changes despite the lack of expansion and college drafts this year.
Players with expired contracts or declined options are considered out-of-contract. While they consider their options, teams will also be making decisions on who to retain and who to waive.
Teams will need to make these decisions quickly as the waiver wire opens and closes this week, followed by the trade window reopening on December 13th.
There will be a transaction moratorium from December 20th to 27th, after which teams can resume signings.
The influx of free agents due to the CBA and lack of drafts will make roster building more complex for NWSL teams, requiring thoughtful recruiting and negotiating to attract talent.
Some clubs, like the Houston Dash, have already taken significant roster actions, adding players like Christen Westphal and Delanie Sheehan, signaling an aggressive rebuilding phase as the league enters a new era.
The post End-of-Year Roster Decisions Sweep NWSL Clubs as Free Agency Heats Up appeared first on Just Women’s Sports.
