[1][2][3] NISA initially used a fall-to-spring season format with a winter break but have switched to spring-to-fall which is more common in the United States.

[10] On August 31, 2018, NISA filed an application with the United States Soccer Federation for sanctioning as a men's professional league, playing at the third division.

[11] On February 16, 2019, NISA was provisionally sanctioned as a Division III league by the United States Soccer Federation.

[12] In May 2019, it was announced that clubs were not happy with the silence from the league and that Bob Watkins was no longer the President of NISA and that John Prutch had taken the helm as commissioner.

[3] On June 10, 2019, it became known that both Miami FC and California United Strikers FC were approved at the recent board of governors meeting to join NISA, while the previously identified club in Central Florida would play in Baton Rouge, Louisiana instead of Daytona Beach, Florida.

[22][23] The partnership is set to provide a pathway to professional status for both clubs and players, while also allowing two GCPL teams to qualify for future editions of the Independent Cup based on league play.

This proposed league would occupy the at the time vacant second tier of professional women's soccer in the United States.