Overview
- Commissioner Jessica Berman rejected an agreed four-year, backloaded Washington Spirit offer averaging more than $1 million per year, according to multiple reports.
- The league argued the deal violated the “spirit” of competition rules and alleged salary-cap circumvention, per a document reviewed by ESPN.
- The NWSLPA says the offer complies with the CBA, citing projected cap increases, the league’s authority to raise the cap, and a one-per-year buyout provision.
- Team salary caps are scheduled to rise from roughly $3.5 million in 2026 to about $4.9 million in 2029, and a league source said a $1 million annual salary would be approvable.
- Rodman remains a free agent drawing interest from top European clubs and DC Power, increasing pressure on the NWSL’s pay structure and efforts to retain elite talent.