What Is 2. Women's Major League Soccer

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: 2. Women's Major League Soccer is not an official league; the top-tier professional women's soccer league in the U.S. is the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), founded in 2012 with 14 teams as of 2023 and featuring stars like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe.

Key Facts

The NWSL was founded in 2012 as the successor to previous leagues like WPS and WUSA
There are 14 active NWSL teams as of the 2023 season
The NWSL averages over 10,000 fans per game, a record for women's professional soccer
The league has secured major sponsorship deals with Nike, Budweiser, and Ally Financial
The 2023 NWSL Championship was won by NJ/NY Gotham FC, defeating OL Reign 2–1

Overview

The term '2. Women's Major League Soccer' appears to be a misstatement or confusion between different soccer leagues. In the United States, the top-tier professional women's soccer league is the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), established in 2012. It replaced earlier leagues like Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) and the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), which folded due to financial instability.

The NWSL was formed with strong support from U.S. Soccer and has steadily grown in popularity, visibility, and investment. It features many U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) stars and has become a destination for international talent. Unlike a 'second division' labeled as '2,' the NWSL is the premier women's professional league in North America.

Founded in 2012, the NWSL launched with eight founding teams including Sky Blue FC and the Western New York Flash, establishing a sustainable model unlike prior leagues.
The league expanded to 14 teams by 2023, with new franchises in cities like Angel City FC in Los Angeles and San Diego Wave FC.
Each team operates under a single-entity structure, with player salaries subsidized by U.S. Soccer in the early years to ensure financial stability.
The NWSL has seen record-breaking attendance, with over 10,000 fans per game on average during the 2023 season, led by Angel City FC’s 19,000+ average.
The league implemented a salary cap of $1.5 million per team in 2023, with designated player spots allowing higher earnings for star athletes.

How It Works

The NWSL operates with a unique structure designed to promote parity, sustainability, and growth. Unlike promotion-based systems in other countries, the NWSL is a closed league with expansion franchises approved by league leadership.

Franchise Model: The NWSL uses a franchise system with no promotion or relegation; new teams pay $50 million expansion fees, as seen with Bay FC and Utah Royals in 2024.
Player Allocation: Until 2024, U.S. Soccer funded the salaries of national team players assigned to teams; this system was replaced by a new free agency model.
Draft System: The NWSL College Draft allows teams to select top talent from NCAA programs; 60 players were drafted in 2023 from 40+ universities.
Salary Structure: Minimum player salaries rose to $35,000 in 2023, with top earners making over $200,000, including bonuses and sponsorship deals.
Media Rights: A landmark 4-year, $240 million deal with CBS and ESPN began in 2023, significantly increasing national exposure.
Competition Format: The regular season runs from March to November, with the top eight teams advancing to a playoff tournament culminating in the NWSL Championship.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the NWSL with other top women's leagues globally:

League	Country	Founded	Teams	Attendance Avg.
NWSL	USA	2012	14	10,000+
FA Women's Super League	England	2011	12	3,500
Division 1 Féminine	France	1918	12	1,200
Bundesliga Frauen	Germany	1970	12	1,800
Primera División Femenina	Spain	1988	16	2,100

The NWSL leads in attendance and investment, reflecting strong institutional backing and growing fan engagement. While European leagues have longer histories, the NWSL's modern infrastructure and media deals position it as a leader in women's professional sports. Its model emphasizes financial control and equitable competition, helping avoid the pitfalls that ended earlier U.S. women's leagues.

Why It Matters

The NWSL's success has broader implications for gender equity in sports, setting benchmarks for pay, media coverage, and fan support. It has become a model for sustainable women's professional leagues worldwide.

Trailblazing for gender equity, the NWSL secured equal prize money with the men's league starting in 2023, a first among major sports.
The league has driven increased youth participation, with U.S. Soccer reporting a 25% rise in girls’ club soccer registrations since 2015.
Teams like Angel City FC are majority-owned by women, including celebrities like Natalie Portman and Serena Williams, promoting diverse leadership.
The NWSL has partnered with mental health organizations to support players, following high-profile abuse scandals in 2021.
Its television deal with CBS and ESPN ensures 120+ annual broadcasts, vastly improving visibility compared to prior eras.
The league fosters international talent, with players from over 30 countries represented in 2023, enhancing global competitiveness.

As the NWSL continues to expand and professionalize, it solidifies its role as the premier platform for women's soccer in North America, influencing policy, culture, and athletic opportunity worldwide.