The USWNTPA has changed legal counsel, parting with Rich Nichols. (Photo Copyright Patricia Giobetti for The Equalizer)
Rich Nichols will no longer serve as counsel for the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association, players announced on Wednesday.
Terms of the current CBA will expire at the end of Dec. 31, 2016. Negotiations have been ongoing, with two meetings taking place in December, but neither the players nor the federation seem close to a deal.
“Rich Nichols will no longer serve as counsel to the USWNT Players Association.
“We thank Rich for his service, and wish him well. We are focused on productive conversations with U.S. Soccer regarding our future. We are also grateful for the tremendous ongoing support for women’s soccer from all of our beloved fans worldwide, and look forward to seeing everyone over the course of the NWSL season, as well as at the 2017 SheBelieves Cup in March.”
Nichols took over as executive director of the USWNTPA in late 2014, replacing longtime player rep John Langel.
There is no looming strike or lockout – not for January, anyway. Terms of the CBA will remain in place in the new year unless either the players or the federation provide 60 days’ notice that they no longer plan to honor those terms. Neither party has done so as of yet.
The SheBelieves Cup is set to begin on March 1 (dates and venues still not yet officially confirmed).
