In 2024, two teams will join the NWSL: Bay FC and Utah Royals FC. Adding a new team to an established league where parity is a crucial aspect is complicated, and the NWSL still needs to figure it out. The inaugural season for Bay FC and Utah Royals FC is highly anticipated; However, other NWSL teams are feeling the brunt of it due to the expansion draft.
NWSL Expansion Draft Explained
When a new team is formed and enters the NWSL, an “expansion draft” takes place. An expansion draft is a process where expansion teams joining the league have a chance to select players from the already existing clubs to build their inaugural roster.
Before the draft took place, the 12 existing teams had the opportunity to protect nine players from their squad, meaning these protected players could not be taken in the draft by either of the expansion teams. If a team lost a player to one of the two expansion teams, they could protect one further player. However, in a window leading up to the draft, teams are allowed to make trades with the expansion teams for protection. Almost every NWSL team made a trade with at least one of the expansion sides to grant protection from having a player selected in the draft.
These drafts do not take place in European leagues, so if this is starting to sound a little confusing for those outside of the USA, we understand – the NWSL draft is confusing and leaves many questions unanswered. Why do players get drafted before their contract is up? What if the players do not want to leave? What if the team does not want the player to be drafted? Well, it seems players and coaches have similar questions and concerns too.
The impact of the NWSL Draft
Coaches and players have commented on how stressful the NWSL expansion draft was for them to watch. Players and their families felt the anxiety of not knowing whether they would have to pack up their whole lives and relocate for a new teams location, and coaches had to watch their players get drafted with no say on the matter. The overall reaction from players and coaches was highly adverse, with many expressing their frustrations.
Rachel Hill had signed a two-year deal with San Diego Wave through 2024. Hill was happy with the team and had no immediate plans to leave; However, due to the expansion draft, she had no choice but to switch sides and join expansion team, Bay FC. Hill posted a thank you to San Diego after being drafted which Cleary highlighted her disappointment.
“Did not think I’d be sitting here writing this after only 1 season. I’ve loved every second I had in San Diego and I’m sad it’s come to an end like this.” – Rachel Hill wrote on Instagram.
Alex Morgan, a prominent member of the USWNT and teammate of Hill, took to social media to amplify Hill’s sentiments regarding her dissatisfaction with the trade and to assert her stance against the existence of drafts. San Diego Wave manager Casey Stoney also expressed her frustration with the draft, saying there should be another way and that the way she formed the inaugural squad for Wave did not utilise the draft, making a point that an NWSL team can be built through mutual agreement.
We have to find a different way!!!! It can be done because I have done it!!!!!!
— Casey Stoney MBE 💙 (@CaseyStoney) December 16, 2023
North Carolina Courage head coach Sean Nahas also was critical of the process. Seven players were selected, five by Bay FC and two by Utah Royals FC. “I don’t think people actually realize the damage that is created by this process and what it does to players, clubs and those relationships,” Nahas wrote Saturday. “We should be protecting the league and not 9 players per roster. There needs to be another way.”
Utah Royals sporting director Kelly Cousins is in agreement with the frustrations. After the draft conceded, she expressed that the process of expansion should change.
“When you get to draft day, it’s not nice for anyone, even for us, being in it,” Cousins said. “You’re picking a player, and a new player finds out in the moment, live on telly, that they go to another club. For us, that doesn’t sit well, I think it is something that probably should change because you’re saying a player could be uprooted.
On the other hand, Bay FC general manager Lucy Rushton called the expansion draft “imperative.”
“I think it’s essential because I think without it, it would have been very difficult for us to amass a roster from within the NWSL,” she said. “Is it the nicest mechanism through which to acquire players? No, probably not, not for the players and it’s tough. I certainly think it’s essential and especially now, having gone through the process, it scares me to think what some of the numbers might have looked like that teams might have asked for to trade their players.”
Unlike the European leagues, where the players usually are in the driving seat in terms of which team they want to play for, NWSL players can be traded without consultation. Whilst this style of trade is frowned upon by many, it is in place to prevent expensive bidding wars and avoids teams with more money to spend from signing contracts with all of the best players, as this would result in an uncompetitive league. To an extent it makes sense, but it does not take away from the main point – Players and coaches deserve to have their voices heard. It is time for the league to create an approach which takes into consideration the success and competitiveness of the league, whilst listening to the concerns of those involved.
European transfer window
In the January transfer window in Europe, NWSL teams have made some impressive signings. Jessie Fleming signed for Portland Thorns from Chelsea, and Angharad James for Seattle Reign FC from Tottenham. Bay FC snagged three of the biggest in signing Scottish international Jen Beattie from Arsenal, Nigerian international Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona, and Venezuelan international Deyna Castellanos from Manchester City. Bay FC may have ruffled some feathers in building their squad, even if by no fault of their own, but they are a team to watch this 2024 NWSL season.
Despite the frustrations of the NWSL Expansion Draft, the 2024 NWSL season is shaping up to be an exciting one. With the addition of two teams, Bay FC and Utah Royals FC, and the incredible European signings – There’s no doubt that the season will be bigger and more competitive than ever.
Check out the 2024 NWSL regular season schedule here.
For more NWSL related articles, click here.
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