Overview
- The rule takes effect July 1, 2026 and lets each club exceed the cap by up to $1 million for eligible stars, with deals allowed to be signed now if the extra spend starts on the effective date.
- Eligibility requires meeting at least one sporting or commercial benchmark, such as Ballon d’Or top 30, Guardian or ESPN FC global rankings, USWNT minutes leaders, NWSL MVP finalist, Best XI, or SportsPro marketability.
- Any High Impact Player must carry a minimum cap charge equal to 12% of the base salary cap, and the $1 million allowance will rise annually at the same rate as the cap.
- The NWSL projects up to $16 million in added player spending in 2026 and up to $115 million over the current CBA, while the league says it acted within CBA discretion after consultation with the NWSLPA.
- The NWSLPA opposes the rule as a mandatory bargaining issue and continues a grievance over the league’s veto of Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman’s proposed deal, with timelines extended for responses.