National team players reach accord

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Feb 17, 2009

An agreement was reached between Women's Professional Soccer and U.S. national team players on the terms of the standard contract players will sign with the new league, which will kick off on March 29. Players will earn an average of around $32,000 in 2009 for a seven-month playing contract.

According to Sports Business Journal, the minimum salary of U.S. national team players will be $40,000. The term of the agreement is three years.

The agreement covers 33 players on the U.S. women's national team or in the national team pool. Players have the ability to supplement their salary with compensation through appearances, marketing, coaching and camps in addition to finding other employment in the offseason.

The agreement also covers various issues over marketing rights.

WPS has signed Puma as a national sponsor and is hopeful of adding several other national sponsors before the start of the season.

According to WPS spokesperson Robert Penner, players who have a pre-existing endorsement contract with a manufacturer that has taken out a licensing deal with WPS are able to wear that manufacturer's shoes. All other players will wear Puma shoes.

The agreement paves the way for clubs to finalize agreements with national team players. Up until now, the major signings have all been those of foreign stars.