The NWSL is looking at new rules for player pay. These changes could help teams keep top stars like Trinity Rodman.
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is thinking about changes to its salary cap rules. The league has re-signed commissioner Jessica Berman until 2028. They want to hold onto good players like Trinity Rodman. All these steps are linked.
Board members talked about a new way to build teams. This would let teams pay some players much more than the salary cap allows. Teams could spend up to 920,000 EUR over the cap for star players. Only part of that money would count against the cap.
This rule could help teams like the Washington Spirit keep players like Rodman. But it is not clear yet what players need to do to get this special pay. The board, made up of team owners and Berman, will meet soon to talk more.
Spirit president Haley Carter says the current salary cap is old. The cap will hit 3.2 million EUR in 2025. This makes it hard to pay top players without cutting others.
There is also a complaint from the players’ group about Rodman. It says the NWSL broke rules by turning down a past deal from the Spirit. The league must reply by Wednesday.
The Democratic Women’s Caucus wrote to Berman. They worry about the league’s actions. They say keeping the player deal rules builds trust.
Other teams are busy this offseason. The Chicago Stars kept goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher for one more year. Gotham FC signed forward Midge Purce until 2026. Casey Murphy joined new Boston Legacy FC on a four-year deal worth 1.4 million EUR.
The player market is active. Free agents include U.S. forward Sophia Wilson and Swedish defender Hanna Lundkvist. Manchester United wants Lundkvist.
Champions League games start Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Top European teams fight for quarterfinal spots. Barcelona, OL Lyonnes, Chelsea, and Juventus lead.
