Prior to 2021 it was known as the NWSL College Draft,[1] and was renamed to reflect that selections were no longer limited to collegiate players.
[3] On August 22, 2024, the NWSL announced the elimination of its draft and discovery systems as part of its renegotiated collective bargaining agreement with the National Women's Soccer League Players Association.
NWSL teams could pursue and sign any prospective collegiate and international players as free agents, bringing the league closer in line with global standards within the sport.
[4] The first NWSL Draft was announced on December 21, 2012,[5] and held on January 18, 2013, at the NSCAA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, a few months prior to the start of the league's inaugural season on April 13, 2013, and one day after the 2013 MLS SuperDraft in the same venue.
[21] The NWSL playing rights of drafted players were held until the start of the 2022 preseason rather than the end of the 2021 season as was the case previously.
As of 2023[update], only players with certain tenure within the league are eligible for free agency and can choose which team they can sign a contract with.
With no prior season's results to use, the league applied a weighted draw based on NWSL federation allocation strength as determined by a panel.
[16] Notable examples of players who registered for and were selected in an NWSL draft but declined to report and instead signed for teams in other leagues include Mia Fishel[32] and Julia Ashley.
Players who played collegiate soccer in the United States have publicly criticized the lack of free agency in the NWSL.
[38] In response to criticism and increased competitive pressure from European leagues with free agency, the NWSL in 2023 hired Tatjana Haenni, who previously led women's soccer for FIFA and UEFA, and NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman stated that Haenni would have influence over the draft's future direction.
On July 30, 2021, 15-year-old Olivia Moultrie and NWSL club Portland Thorns FC settled an antitrust lawsuit they filed against the league to allow her to play.
The settlement was limited in scope to Moultrie, but the league subsequently created an ad-hoc system for individually approving clubs' requests to sign minors as players.
[41] The 2023 NWSL season introduced a formal entry list process for players under the age of 18, which established requirements and limitations on such signings.
This was initially expected to facilitate the entry of Mallory Pugh, then 17 years old and had not yet reported to UCLA, to an NWSL team.
Washington Spirit had the first selection in the order,[48] acquired via trade with the Boston Breakers, who finished the 2016 NWSL season in last place.