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The NWSL is the first top American sports league to abolish all drafts. What now?

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The NWSL is the first major league in the U.S. to eliminate a college or entry draft.

College players can now negotiate and choose their first professional team.

The league is forging a path no other major American league has before.

ESPN chatted with players and managers about the changes to the CBA .

Only seven drafted players signed with an NWSL club by the end of February last year .

Fears of a drop-off in signings have been unrealized in the first NWSL season without the draft.

Professional contracts for recent college players are currently outpacing what we've seen from the previous class.

The NWSL 's 2025 Competition Manual has given 56 days for U21 trialists and 21 days for trialists over the age of 21 .

Some college players have struggled to find a way into the league after leaving the NCAA .

The next chapter of the NWSL is finding ways to include more players under the umbrella of the league.