Sixteen thousand euros a year is the legal minimum wage currently in effect for players in this context. A collective bargaining agreement signed in 2019 set certain terms, and that framework remains in place even as conditions evolve. The players, represented by a coalition of unions, contend that the current base level does not reflect the true value of women’s professional football or the resources generated by the league. They feel the pay scale is unfair and insufficient, and they have decided to push back with united resolve.
Through five unions—FUTPRO, AFE, FutbolistasOn, CCOO, and UGT—women’s football players issued a formal statement. They criticized the slow progress toward a fair agreement and documented repeated instances where proposals were not advanced. The message highlighted what the unions viewed as repetitive delays and a pattern of employers withholding necessary documents and concessions.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The social dialogue among the five unions in women’s football included a proposal to raise salaries to 30,000 euros over a three-season period. This pledge sought to align compensation with the responsibilities and expectations of professional players and to reflect the league’s broader ambitions for growth and sustainability. The assertion was communicated publicly as part of the ongoing collective bargaining process [Source attribution: FUTPRO and partner unions].
— FUTPRO and allied unions provided details on this timing and its intended impact on players’ earnings as an element of a broader wage strategy.
In the league’s current plan, the wage floor starts at 16,000 euros, with a schedule that anticipates an increase of 500 euros in the next season. For subsequent years, the projection is 17,500 for the 23-24 season and 19,000 for the 24-25 season. The unions reject this trajectory, arguing that the minimum must be 30,000 euros within three years, with retroactive effect to address past deficits.
The unions justify their demand by pointing to the revenue plan outlined for the upcoming five years. They reference a projected 35 million euros for audiovisual rights and 42 million euros in commercial assets, along with 22.5 million euros in assistance to clubs to improve facilities during the first three seasons. The aim is to ensure that players receive a fair share of the growth potential generated by these revenue streams.
In response, the league has framed its position around an anticipated payout that, according to the league’s figures, would total around 70 million euros over the next five years when considering the combined impact of new revenue streams and long-term agreements. This estimate is presented as the framework within which any wage increases would be implemented, factoring in the league’s overall financial commitments.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE LEAGUE’S COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
The exchange between the league and the unions continued publicly as part of the ongoing dialogue to determine fair compensation for players in the national competition. The debate has encompassed not only salaries but also the broader economics of the sport and the distribution of resources across clubs, media, and commercial partnerships.
— The League reiterated its position during the period of negotiations, emphasizing the importance of sustainable growth and the alignment of player wages with the league’s financial reality.
As talks reached an impasse, the decision was made by players across the national competition to take action. On the day of the latest calendar matches, players planned to cover the league shield, which appears on the right sleeve of their official match jerseys, as a visible symbol of their demand for a fairer pay structure. The gesture underscored the players’ commitment to achieving better terms and highlighted the responsibility to secure rights through collective action when discussions stall. The move represented a principled stand aimed at drawing attention to the wage dispute while maintaining professional conduct on match day [Source attribution: player unions and league statements].