After weeks of speculation about whether the NWSL could retain Trinity Rodman amidst competition with leagues in Europe that don't have salary cap restrictions, the NWSL announced the "High Impact Player Rule," a new player compensation mechanism designed to help clubs attract and retain high-profile players.
Rodman, who is currently a free agent, has stated her desire to stay in the NWSL, but her salary potential was previously limited by the league's salary cap. Several of Rodman's U.S. Women's National Team teammates, including Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Lindsay Heaps, and Emily Fox, have made the move to Europe.
Earlier this month, the NWSL rejected the Washington Spirit's multi-million dollar deal with Rodman, arguing that it went against the spirit of the league's salary cap restrictions due to how it was structured. They created this new High Impact Player (HIP) Rule in response. Under the new rule, each club may exceed the league’s established salary cap by up to $1 million for high-impact players who meet certain criteria. The total will increase year-over-year at the same rate as the salary cap.
The NWSL's base salary cap in 2026 is $3.5 million, which does not include additions for revenue sharing. According to ESPN, the final cap number in 2025 was $3.5 million after $200,000 in addition for revenue sharing.
“Ensuring our teams can compete for the best players in the world is critical to the continued growth of our league,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman in a league release. “The High Impact Player Rule allows teams to invest strategically in top talent, strengthens our ability to retain star players, and demonstrates our commitment to building world-class rosters for fans across the league.”
HIP funding can be applied to a single player or distributed among multiple eligible players who meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Player is on SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes within the one (1) year prior to the current league season; or,
- Player is selected in the Top 30 in Ballon d’Or voting in the two (2) years prior to the current league season; or
- Player is selected in the Top 40 of the Guardian Top 100 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior; or
- Player is selected in the Top 40 of ESPN FC Top 50 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior; or
- Top 11 minutes played for the USWNT in either of the prior two (2) calendar years for field players for all competition types; or
- Top one (1) minutes played for USWNT in either of the prior two (2) calendar years for goalkeepers for all competition types; or
- Player selected as NWSL MVP Finalist within previous the two (2) league seasons; or
- Player selected to the End of Year NWSL Best XI First Team within the previous two (2) league seasons.
Claudia Dickey is the only current Seattle Reign player who would meet these somewhat peculiar and arbitrary qualifications, but the club could use HIP funding to bring in additional talent. The biggest team needs appear to be another goal-scoring threat at forward or a creative attacking midfielder. Recent reports indicate Catarina Macario, whose contract with Chelsea expires in July, has received offers from several NWSL clubs and is interested in joining the league.
OK, so the league clarified that it's the Top 11 in *either* 2024 or 2025. Here's the list. Players highlighted in yellow qualify for HIP. Even with this clarification, you've created a situation where Michelle Cooper was just 21 minutes from being eligible for a massive contract.
— Mike McGrew (@zavcurrent.bsky.social) 2025-12-23T17:42:28.718Z
The NWSL Players Association has been vocal in its opposition to this new rule, arguing that this rule has to go through a collective-bargaining process before it can be instated. The NWSLPA has pushed instead for the league to increase the salary cap by $1 million without restrictions on how the new money can be spent.
, Pro Soccer Wire
"Under federal labor law, changes to compensation under the salary cap are a mandatory subject of bargaining — not a matter of unilateral discretion," the NWSLPA said in a statement. "A league that truly believes in the value of its Players would not be afraid to bargain over it."
The NWSLPA also said it would take action to enforce the rights of its players. The league stated in its press release that "the NWSL exercised its discretion" to establish this new rule, adding that the decision was made "following consultation with the NWSL Players Association."
Pending any NWSLPA challenges, the High Impact Player Rule will go into effect on July 1, 2026. Teams will be able to sign players immediately as long as the contract terms do not require them to utilize the HIP resources until the effective date.
