Photo Credit: Jamie Sabau | Pictures Pictures
NWSL Players Association and Women’s National Soccer League announced that they have resolved six complaints previously filed by the PA, including one challenging the controversial High Impact Player Rule.
The Multilateral Grievance Settlement Agreement removes the eligibility restrictions of the HIP Rule beginning in 2027. Players will no longer have to meet performance and marketing criteria to negotiate contracts using HIP money. However, the league can set a limit on how many players per club can use HIP compensation. The PA must be notified of this limit upon the opening of the respective Free Agency Window. Only players making at least 12% of base salary qualify for HIP status — which has been the case throughout the rule’s lifetime — though the league can lower that threshold.
The parties also plan for regular financial disclosures so the PA can review the league’s revenue sharing numbers. These calculations affect the annual wage limit for the CBA.
In response to a complaint filed by the PA over the league’s rejection of the Trinity Rodman contract with the Washington Spirit, the league retains the ability to reject contracts to exceed the salary cap. However, if the league rejects a player’s contract, it must notify the PA of the decision and explanation within 72 hours. In addition, clubs and players can agree that “annual wage increases or decreases in post-CBA contract years beginning in 2031 are limited to 15% of the previous year’s wages,” according to a PA statement.
The deal maintains the league’s shoe sponsorship policy, but now honors pre-existing endorsement deals for most players and eliminates previously issued fines.
Players and clubs can now negotiate new categories of performance-related bonuses and wage increases in Standard Player Agreements. These include club appearance and minute milestones, consecutive starts, goal keeper average, individual honors and year-end awards, seniors. US Women’s National Team matches and FIFA and Concacaf tournament matches.
The agreement also preserves existing housing and car benefits for players.
“Behind each of these complaints are rights that are important to the players’ careers and livelihoods, from the compensation they can negotiate to the benefits that depend on them,” said NWSLPA Deputy Executive Director Tori Huster. “Our Union is committed to ensuring that the experience the Players have is consistent with the terms we have collectively agreed upon.”
“Throughout this process, we’ve focused on finding solutions that work for the league and our players, and ultimately benefit our fans,” said NWSL Executive Vice President Bill Ordower. “We are pleased to reach a resolution that does exactly that and allows everyone to focus on the great opportunity ahead. We thank the NWSLPA for their partnership and work on these important issues.”
