The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) have introduced the High Impact Player rule which will allow clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap.
What is the High Impact Player rule?
The High Impact Player rule will allow NWSL clubs to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million (£741,600) for ‘high-impact’ players.
This threshold will grow every year at the same base rate as the salary cap, which stood at $3.5m (£2.6m) during the 2025 season.
In a statement, the NWSL said this would allow teams to retain and attract high-impact players.
It comes amid the recent saga involving Washington Spirit’s Trinity Rodman, who is set to be out of contract and had a new deal rejected by the NWSL.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said: “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.”
The rule won’t go into effect until July 1st, 2026 and teams will be able to sign ‘high-impact’ players immediately, provided the contract terms don’t utilise the new rule until July 1st.
The NWSL introduces the High Impact Player rule.
Read more for the full list of criteria: https://t.co/vO9BpKK9ux pic.twitter.com/Ngl9wOd92c
— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) December 23, 2025
Who qualifies for the High Impact Player rule?
The NWSL said players must meet one of the following criteria to be considered a high-impact player.
- Player is on SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes within the one (1) year before the current league season
- Player is selected in the Top 30 in Ballon d’Or voting in the two (2) years before the current league season
- Player is selected in the Top 40 of the Guardian Top 100 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior
- Player is selected in the Top 40 of ESPN FC Top 50 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior
- Top 11 minutes played for the USWNT in the prior two (2) calendar years for field players for all competition types
- Top one (1) minutes played for USWNT in the prior two (2) calendar years for goalkeepers for all competition types
- Player selected as NWSL MVP Finalist within previous the two (2) league seasons
- Player selected to the End of Year NWSL Best XI First Team within the previous two (2) league seasons
How does the new rule affect Trinity Rodman?
The new rule will increase the chances of the Washington Spirit being able to sign Rodman to a new contract.
Rodman, the daughter of NBA star Dennis, is set to be out of contract and has interest from WSL clubs, as well as from the rival Gainbridge Super League.
However, it remains to be seen whether Rodman definitely signs a new deal, and she has previously spoken out about her interest in moving to Europe at some point during her career.
