Exclusive: PFA, WPLL and agents set to clash over future of collective image rights in the WSL

Dispute brewing between PFA, WPLL and WSL player representatives over new collective image rights contract

Credit: Getty Images

Battle lines are being drawn at the top of the women’s game in England over the ownership and exploitation of player image rights - a key source of potential income for Women’s Super League players.

The Professional Footballers’ Association, the player union that also represents some individual players, the WPLL, the body in charge of the WSL and Championship, and WSL agents are battling over an image rights contract that was sent by the PFA to all WSL players.

The wide-ranging contract, that was distributed by the union, provides the PFA with the right to “use and exploit, for commercial and non-commercial purposes” the player’s “name, image, nicknames, photographs, portraits, likeness, signature and/or other distinctive or identifying characteristics and/or personal performance data” on a collective “non-exclusive” “royalty-free” basis.