Just last month, 15-year-old Olivia Moultrie went head to head with the National Women’s Soccer League when she filed an antitrust lawsuit against the league. Moultrie claimed that the league’s rule prohibiting players under the age of 18 years old violated the Sherman Antitrust Act. The young soccer star also argued that being denied an opportunity to play in the NWSL would hurt her career development and chances of reaching the U.S. national team.
Olivia Moultrie will not travel with Team USA to Tokyo, Japan this month, but she will be playing in the National Women’s Soccer League very soon. Weeks after going toe-to-toe with NWSL, she signed a three-year deal with the Portland Thorns.
“This step is very important for Olivia,” Thorns Head Coach Mike Parsons said.
“For this club to have the commitment and vision to sign a young, talented player that we really believe in is immense. Olivia has continued to grow and push forward throughout her time here and has taken every challenge and turned it into an opportunity.”
Moultrie was able to sign a three-year deal with the Thorns after U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut granted her a preliminary injunction that would allow her to bypass the league’s guidelines.
“After the development of a comprehensive minor player protection plan and execution of a SPA, special addendum, and parent guaranty, the NWSL welcomed Olivia Moultrie into the league today,” the NWSL stated.
“The NWSL continues to believe that age requirements for the league should be collectively bargained [as they are in other leagues] and those negotiations are ongoing.”
Olivia Moultrie is ?????????? a Thorn?
The 15-year-old midfielder signed a three-year contract with the club today.
Details: https://t.co/QmmJYiAUs2 | #BAONPDX pic.twitter.com/dxF0l9Gr6N
— Portland Thorns FC (@ThornsFC) June 30, 2021