The High Impact Player rule implemented by the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) could have an impact on the future of Chelsea forward Catarina Macario.
NWSL sides interested in Catarina Macario
ESPN has reported that several NWSL sides are interested in signing Catarina Macario from Chelsea in the summer of 2026.
Macario’s contract with Chelsea expires on July 1st 2026. She will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement for next summer anytime from January 1st.
The 26-year-old, who represents the USWNT, has reportedly been the subject of long-standing interest from NWSL teams.
A deal looked difficult, though, due to the salary cap rules in the NWSL. The league’s salary cap stood at $3.5m (£2.6m) during the 2025 season and is set to rise to $5.1m (£3.7m) by 2030.
However, the NWSL’s new High Impact Player rule could make it easier for clubs to sign Macario.
What is the NWSL High Impact Player Rule?
The rule, announced by the NWSL on Tuesday, will allow clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million (£741,600) for ‘high-impact’ players.
Players will have to meet at least one item of criteria from a list compiled by the NWSL to be classified as a ‘High Impact Player’.
That list includes being in the top 11 minutes played for the United States in the prior two calendar years, making the Ballon d’Or top 30, and featuring on SportsPro Media’s top 150 Most Marketable Athletes, among other criteria.
Macario would qualify for featuring in the top 11 players for minutes for the United States in 2025.
The rule change does not take effect until July 1st, 2026, the day when Macario becomes a free agent.
The NWSL High Impact Player rule comes amid the recent saga involving Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman.
Rodman’s contract is about to expire and the league’s current salary cap rules have made it difficult for the Spirit to sign her to a new deal, especially when she could be paid more in leagues like the WSL.
The NWSL rejected Washington Spirit’s recent contract offer for Rodman.
Opposition to NWSL rule
The NWSL Players Association, according to The Athletic, opposed the league’s decision to move forward with the rules.
Executive director Meghann Burke told the media outlet last week: “Under federal labour law, changes to compensation under the salary cap are a mandatory subject of bargaining — not a matter of unilateral discretion.
“Fair pay is realised through fair, collectively bargained compensation systems, not arbitrary classifications. A league that truly believes in the value of its players would not be afraid to bargain over it.”
