After weeks of deliberations, the NWSL today announced the creation of high-impact player rules, a mechanism designed to provide the Cubs with greater flexibility in attracting and retaining qualified players.
The High Impact Player rules will go into effect on July 1, 2026.
advertise
According to the terms of the CBA, the NWSL will make its own decision to establish a new mechanism after consultation with the NWSL Players Association.
Under this rule, each club’s salary cap for high-impact players can exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1,000,000, with the threshold increasing at the same rate each year. It can be distributed between a single player or multiple players. The minimum salary cap must be at least 12% of the basic salary cap.
In order to comply with the new HIPR rules, one of the following business or sports criteria must be met:
-
The player is listed in SportsPro Media’s Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes within one (1) year prior to the current league season; or,
-
The player finished in the top 30 in Ballon d’Or voting within the two (2) years prior to the current league season; or
-
The player has been ranked in the top 40 of The Guardian’s Top 100 Football Players in the World within the past two (2) years; or
-
The player is ranked in the top 40 of ESPN FC’s Top 50 Football Players in the World within two (2) years; or
-
The first 11 minutes a player has played for the USWNT in all competition types in the past two (2) calendar years; or
-
OR
-
A player selected as an NWSL MVP finalist in the previous two (2) league seasons; or
-
Players named to the year-end NWSL All-Pro First Team during the first two (2) league seasons.
According to the alliance, the standards will be reviewed regularly. Player spending across the league could increase by $16 million through 2026.
advertise
“Ensuring our teams can compete for the best players in the world is critical to the continued growth of our league,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman. “The high-impact player rule allows teams to strategically invest in top talent, enhances our ability to retain star players and demonstrates our commitment to building a world-class roster for fans across the league.”