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Jeff Kassouf
The NWSL Players Association has voiced its disapproval of the league’s proposal to implement a new rule allowing teams to pay star players beyond the salary cap. This move could complicate the league’s efforts to attract top talent from Europe, including United States forward Trinity Rodman.
According to a report from ESPN last week, the NWSL’s Board of Governors approved a plan known as the “High Impact Player” rule (HIP), which would permit teams to allocate up to $1 million outside the salary cap for star players meeting specific criteria.
However, the proposal necessitates discussions with the NWSL Players Association, which has raised concerns this week. Executive director Meghann Burke stated that implementing such a rule requires collective bargaining.
“The league is trying to control and dictate player salaries with this fund,” said Burke. “We believe that general managers and team operations have the best insight into how to structure their rosters and negotiate contracts.”
Burke emphasized the complexity of evaluating a player’s worth in both sporting and business contexts, arguing that decisions about roster management should lie with the teams under a free agency system.
Instead of the proposed HIP rule, the Players Association has suggested that the NWSL increase the salary cap by $1 million starting in 2026, aligning with the HIP proposal but without restrictions on which players can be compensated.
The current salary cap for the NWSL in 2026 is set at $3.5 million, before revenue-sharing additions; the 2025 cap also stood at $3.5 million post-revenue sharing enhancements of $200,000.
Following discussions with over 400 players, Burke noted that the majority felt the proposed rule was not favorable. “This is a significant decision that impacts our long-term future, affecting market structures and locker-room dynamics,” she explained.
The push for the HIP rule correlates directly with the urgency for the Washington Spirit to secure Rodman, a marquee player, at market value as her contract expires shortly.
Previously, Rodman’s contract negotiations became contentious when the NWSL rejected a proposed agreement, asserting it violated league regulations and accused Rodman of attempting to circumvent salary cap restrictions. The Players Association subsequently filed a grievance on December 3, arguing that the rejected contract complied with the collective bargaining agreement.
According to the CBA, any filed grievance must be addressed in writing by the involved party within 14 days, a deadline extended following the parties’ agreement. Burke has expressed that the Players Association does not find the HIP proposal adequately developed and sees raising the salary cap as the most straightforward solution.
“It’s disappointing that disagreements on this issue could hinder a deal to retain Trinity,” Burke stated, reflecting on the missed opportunity for continued discussions about mechanisms to keep top talent.
The future of the HIP rule remains uncertain after the NWSL Board of Governors met for their quarterly meeting, previously voting for the rule. However, the specifics of the consultation process with the Players Association lack clarity.
Burke stated that the proposed HIP rule creates a distinct fund accessible only to select players meeting specific criteria, which she argues was conceived unilaterally by the league.
The High Impact Player structure allows teams to spend up to $1 million over the salary cap for players whose charges meet a set threshold and satisfy designated criteria, likely including performance metrics. This proposed approach is akin to MLS’ allocation structures but does not permit unlimited spending on select players.
ESPN has reached out for comments from both the NWSL and the Washington Spirit.