We’re about to see what sports is like without a draft

The National Women’s Soccer League has experienced incredible growth this year.

It is in the first year of a four-year, $240 million media rights deal. As of June 27, the league has seen dramatic year-over-year improvements in attendance (42 percent), Nielsen ratings (95 percent) and retail performance on NWSLShop.com (nearly 300 percent).

On Thursday came the league’s most interesting development yet.

As part of a new collective bargaining agreement, the NWSL will become the first major domestic sports league to eliminate its college draft, granting all unsigned players unrestricted free agency. Additionally, every trade now requires a player’s approval before being officially completed.