NWSL players pursue off-field careers following new collective bargaining agreement

NWSL players are increasingly utilizing the flexibility provided by a new collective bargaining agreement to pursue diverse professional interests outside of soccer. While past league conditions often required players to take secondary jobs to meet basic financial needs, current roster members are now engaging in side work to explore personal passions. Chicago Stars midfielder Bea Franklin exemplifies this shift, having taken a position as a cocktail waitress at the Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum, Idaho. Franklin noted that this role provided an opportunity to engage with interests outside of her athletic career rather than acting as a necessity for financial survival. The current contrasts with the financial challenges players faced five years ago, when many worked in logistics or delivery sectors to supplement meager league salaries. This broader shift reflects a transition toward allowing players greater autonomy in their professional lives.

• 10:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Saloons, school and specialty coffee: NWSL players enjoy new era of side hustles