Shaw Process Highlights NWSL Discovery Rights Imbalance
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL’s) slow march toward a homegrown player rule continues, now with a rules wrinkle.
More Details
Jaedyn Shaw, allowed to enter the league before attending college, has been picked up by the San Diego Wave through the discovery system.
This transaction seems straightforward on its own, but Shaw will likely never suit up for the Wave, nor did they expect her to.
Shaw has been training with the Washington Spirit, who are eager to sign the 17-year-old.
The discovery mechanism, however, comes with a list, which the Wave topped in 2022.
Shaw would have had to fall down to the Spirit’s ranking on the list for Washington to have had an opportunity to make a contract offer.
LATEST POSTS
- A New Name Emerges For Inter’s Defense This January But It All Depends On Cristian Chivu
- Napoli Could Be Forced To Abandon Their Pursuit Of Kobbie Mainoo After Recent Development
- Juve’s Plan For Davide Frattesi Revealed And It Doesn’t Involve Uniting The Thuram Brothers
- Lionel Messi Crowned Greatest Athlete Of The Modern Era
- AFCON 2025: Les Étalons Claw Back From 1-0 Down To Secure Gritty Win
Consequently, San Diego (like a number of NWSL teams before them) will likely trade Shaw’s rights for allocation money payment or a draft pick, squeezing value from one of the league’s many parity rules.
The last time the discovery list came into play was with another teenager, Olivia Moultrie, whose rights OL Reign dealt back to the Portland Thorns for a third-round pick.
At best, these kinds of discovery deals lead to gamesmanship between teams, and players get to land in their desired locations anyway.
Meanwhile…
However, the concept that the players don’t control their rights, especially when they’re joining the league at a very young age, gives reason for serious pause as the NWSL tries to retain top talent.
READ ALSO: Bettitude Midfielder Of The Year 2021 (Female)
Former Florida State standout Deyna Castellanos put it succinctly on Twitter this week: “I hope that if and when I decide to play for the [NWSL], the rules have significantly changed.
“Players deserve full autonomy of their careers. A league that is able to control players’ rights without their consent does not align with football on a global scale.”
Do you have a story tip?
Kindly Email: keepup@bettitude.com
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube
About Author
