Overview
- The NWSLPA told the league the proposed High Impact Player mechanism requires collective bargaining and should not be implemented unilaterally.
- League governors had voted to approve the measure, which would let each team spend up to $1 million outside the cap on qualifying players, pending union agreement.
- Union leaders proposed raising the team salary cap by $1 million in 2026, arguing clubs should decide player value without league-imposed eligibility criteria.
- The dispute is unfolding as Trinity Rodman’s Spirit deal was vetoed by the league and a grievance filed on her behalf remains active with response timelines extended by agreement.
- Draft criteria discussed for eligibility included Ballon d'Or recognition and USWNT minutes, with the mechanism structured as a capped supplement rather than an MLS-style unlimited designated player slot.