The launched the Excessive Affect Participant rule on Tuesday, which can enable golf equipment to exceed the league’s present wage cap of $3.5 million by an extra $1 million.
Because the cap is anticipated to develop to $5.1 million in 2030, the Excessive Affect Participant threshold will develop on the identical base charge because the wage cap.
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League commissioner Jessica Berman has confronted appreciable stress to implement rule adjustments that higher place NWSL golf equipment to maintain their greatest stars like ahead .
“The Excessive Affect Participant Rule permits groups to take a position strategically in high expertise, strengthens our capacity to retain star gamers, and demonstrates our dedication to constructing world-class rosters for followers throughout the league,” Berman mentioned.
Gamers should meet one of many following sporting standards or business necessities to be thought-about as a high-impact participant:
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Participant is on SportsPro Media Prime 150 Most Marketable Athletes throughout the one (1) 12 months previous to the present league season; or,
Participant is chosen within the Prime 30 in Ballon d’Or voting within the two (2) years previous to the present league season; or
Participant is chosen within the Prime 40 of the Guardian Prime 100 soccer gamers on this planet within the two (2) years prior; or
Participant is chosen within the Prime 40 of ESPN FC Prime 50 soccer gamers on this planet within the two (2) years prior; or
Prime 11 minutes performed for the within the prior two (2) calendar years for discipline gamers for all competitors sorts; or
Prime one (1) minutes performed for USWNT within the prior two (2) calendar years for goalkeepers for all competitors sorts; or
Participant chosen as NWSL MVP Finalist inside earlier the 2 (2) league seasons; or
Participant chosen to the Finish of Yr NWSL Greatest XI First Staff throughout the earlier two (2) league seasons.
NWSL Golf equipment Will Be Ready To Signal Excessive-Affect Gamers Instantly
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – SEPTEMBER 13: Trinity Rodman #2 of Washington Spirit reacts to a group mate through the second half of a NWSL recreation between Kansas Metropolis Present and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri. (Photograph by Invoice Barrett/ISI Pictures/ISI Pictures through Getty Pictures)
For any contract that makes use of the Excessive Affect Participant provision, the cap cost of the high-impact participant have to be a minimal of 12 p.c of the bottom wage cap.
The Excessive Affect Participant Rule will go into impact on July 1, 2026. NWSL golf equipment will be capable to signal Excessive Affect Gamers instantly, supplied that the contract phrases don’t require the group to make the most of the rule till the efficient date.
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This could enable the Spirit to push by an extension to maintain Rodman on the membership beneath the earlier wage cap guidelines.
That mentioned, the NWSLPA pushed again in opposition to the brand new rule in a press release on Tuesday:
“The League’s unilateral motion leaves the NWSLPA no selection however to take motion to implement the rights of the Gamers we characterize.”
The NWSLPA has been engaged in a bitter feud with the league for weeks concerning Rodman’s standing amid wrangling over the wage cap.
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This story was initially printed by on Dec 23, 2025, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a