NWSL Board Delays Vote on…

According to several sources confirmed to ESPN, the NWSL Board of Governors will not vote on the proposed calendar shift during this week’s meeting.

Earlier this month, ESPN reported that a vote was anticipated regarding a significant change to the league’s seasonal schedule, shifting from a spring-to-fall format to a fall-to-spring structure—a change that has been a topic of discussion for years.

It’s important to note that meeting agendas, including significant votes, tend to be fluid and can change right up until the meeting starts, as previously highlighted by ESPN. The upcoming NWSL board meetings are set to occur on Tuesday and Wednesday in Portland, Oregon.

Sources indicate that delays in major board votes often occur when there’s an assumption that there aren’t enough votes to support an agenda item. The board is composed of NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman along with owners from the league’s 18 teams.

According to CBS Sports, the anticipated board vote has been shelved.

Implementing a calendar flip, like many other major decisions, requires a supermajority vote, as stated by a source to ESPN.

The owners are divided on this issue, with reports suggesting a fairly even split between those favoring the existing calendar and those supporting the transition to a fall-to-spring model.

Concerns have been raised by owners preferring to maintain the current model—starting the season in February or March and concluding in November—citing worries over financial implications due to low attendance during winter months and potential expenses related to winterizing facilities and venues (such as under-field heating or indoor training fields).

In late 2024, the NWSL board narrowly rejected the idea of flipping the calendar, as previously reported by ESPN.

The timing of the renewed discussions is partly driven by upcoming media rights negotiations, which are slated to begin in 2028, according to multiple sources.

Recent extensive dialogues and league research have been influenced by the need for clarity regarding the next media deal, as potential rights holders need to know the anticipated schedule for airing games.

However, the debate surrounding the calendar involves multiple facets, including the impact on FIFA tournaments, transfer windows, weather, and facility availability.

Even if the board decides to change the calendar, implementing such changes could take years.

The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and the NWSL Players Association stipulates that the league must give at least one year’s notice to the union if a calendar flip is intended. Additionally, the CBA grants the league sole authority over such decisions, although it must negotiate with the union regarding any CBA-related items affected by this change.

Following ESPN’s initial report about a potential vote, the NWSL Players Association expressed that most players are against the calendar flip. Concerns cited by the union include weather conditions and the necessary infrastructure investments to address them.

“The crucial question isn’t whether the league should change the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly,” the NWSLPA stated earlier this month. “Currently, they do not. The ability to manage weather-related challenges depends on reliable control over facilities and operational flexibility among clubs, a standard that has not been uniformly achieved across the league.”

It remains uncertain when or if the calendar issue will be brought to a vote again.

“The NWSL is actively reviewing its competition calendar, considering alignment with the international soccer landscape,” an NWSL spokesperson stated to ESPN. “No decision has been made yet. Any significant change will be carefully evaluated, and input from all key stakeholders is being taken into account.”