Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

AP Source: NWSL may adopt policy allowing teams to sign select players above the salary cap

AP Source: NWSL may adopt policy allowing teams to sign select players above the salary cap | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman warms up before a NWSL semifinal women's soccer match against Portland Thorns FC, Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

The National Women’s Soccer League could soon adopt a roster mechanism that would allow teams to sign certain players over current salary cap rules, a person with knowledge of the proposal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to publicly disclose discussions, first reported by ESPN. Any policy change would have to be approved by the NWSL Players Association.

Details about the new mechanism were not available but it would help teams sign and retain top players while still maintaining the NWSL’s salary cap.

The issue has attracted attention in the past two weeks as the Washington Spirit have sought to re-sign Trinity Rodman, one of the league’s biggest stars.

The Spirit and Rodman struck a multiyear deal last week that was vetoed by the league. The NWSLPA filed a grievance in response, maintaining that the denial violated Rodman’s free agency rights.

On Tuesday the Spirit said they were continuing to work with the NWSL and Rodman’s representation to reach a resolution that would keep her with in the league. Rodman, who won a gold medal with the United States at the Paris Olympics, has been drawing interest from European teams that don’t have the same salary restrictions.

The NWSL’s salary cap is $3.5 million for each team for the 2026 season, although it will rise each year until it hits $5.1 million in 2030.

The union did not provide specifics about the offer to Rodman, but said the compensation structure fit within the salary cap and was calculated to include team revenue share.

The league can raise the salary cap at any time, the union has maintained.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

AP Source: NWSL may adopt policy allowing teams to sign select players above the salary cap | iNFOnews.ca
Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) enters the game during the second half of a NWSL women’s championship soccer match, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

Anne M. Peterson

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles