Former defender Ali Krieger despatched a powerful warning to commissioner Jessica Berman over the potential of the league dropping extra of its greatest stars to European rivals.
NWSL golf equipment are restricted by a wage cap construction that European counterparts should not sure by. , which permits groups to pay as much as $1 million above the league’s wage cap on gamers who meet sure standards.
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The 2026 NWSL wage cap is about at $3.5 million per staff. As a longtime U.S. nationwide staff star, Krieger understands the need for gamers to maximise their incomes potential abroad.
“I imply, every staff has like $3.3 million to spend, that’s simply not sufficient if you wish to have the most effective gamers on the earth,” Krieger stated . “In order that’s why a whole lot of these gamers need to go abroad and play in leagues the place they’re valued, they’re appreciated, they usually get their cash.
“As a result of we’ve got a wage cap, you’re dropping or will lose the most effective gamers in our nation as a result of they need to receives a commission what they’re value, rightfully so. I’d do the identical. If I had been 25 and even 30 and needed to receives a commission my value, then I’d go the place the cash is.”
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NWSL’s Wage Cap System Exposes Finest Gamers To European Poaching
Trinity Rodman of Washington Spirit earlier than the NWSL Championship match between Washington Spirit and Gotham FC at PayPal Park on November 22, 2025, in San Jose, California. (Picture by Erin Chang/ISI Photographs/ISI Photographs through Getty Photos)
, and the Washington Spirit can’t match the wages supplied by European golf equipment. If Rodman is to remain within the NWSL, she should signal for a lesser contract than she is ready to command overseas.
. The NWSL have already misplaced fellow stars Alyssa Thompson, Naomi Girma, Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox and captain Lindsey Heaps to European golf equipment.
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will assist speed up the NWSL’s progress.
“We fought means too arduous to simply cap ourselves with our worth, and so I hope that it could actually get to some extent the place NWSL doesn’t have that concern of getting a famous person staff,” Krieger acknowledged.
Krieger appeared in 108 matches for the USWNT. She represented the Spirit, Orlando Delight and Gotham FC throughout her closing years within the NWSL.
The now 41-year-old retired following the 2023 NWSL season.
This story was initially revealed by on Jan 8, 2026, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a