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NWSL Owners Voting on Targeted Funds to Pay Stars Beyond Cap as Rodman Talks Continue

The proposal would give each club a limited pool for qualifying players to counter overseas offers.

Overview

  • The Board of Governors is considering a rule that would let teams spend a set amount above the salary cap on select players, with a vote expected before next week’s meeting, according to multiple reports.
  • Washington Spirit officials say they remain in daily negotiations with the league and Trinity Rodman’s camp, and no new contract has been finalized.
  • Commissioner Jessica Berman recently vetoed a multiyear, backloaded Spirit deal for Rodman, prompting an NWSLPA grievance that is moving through the CBA’s 14‑day response window and could proceed to committee review or arbitration.
  • Sources say the new mechanism would not mirror MLS’s open‑ended Designated Player rule and could be spread across multiple eligible players, with criteria and thresholds still to be defined.
  • Rodman has competing offers from European clubs and DC Power that exceed current NWSL limits, and the saga has drawn political attention, including a letter from the Democratic Women’s Caucus pressing the league on CBA compliance.