{{Short description|Rule in American women's soccer}} [[File:Houston Dash vs Washington Spirit (Mar 2025) 02.jpg|thumb|250px|Trinity Rodman playing for the Washington Spirit in 2025; the rule was introduced that year largely to allow Rodman to renew with the club]] The '''Rodman rule''',<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2025-12-23 |title=NWSL OK's 'Rodman rule' even as union objects |url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/47399385/nwsl-implements-new-rodman-rule-star-players |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Costabile |first=Annie |date=2025-12-23 |title=Will 'Rodman Rule' Be Enough to Keep Trinity Rodman in NWSL? |url=https://frontofficesports.com/trinity-rodman-nwsl-high-impact-player-rule/ |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=Front Office Sports |language=en}}</ref> officially the '''High Impact Player Rule''',<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWSL |date=2025-12-23 |title=NWSL Introduces High Impact Player Rule to Strengthen Talent Attraction and Retention {{!}} News {{!}} NWSLsoccer.com |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-introduces-high-impact-player-rule |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=NWSL }}</ref> is a caveat to the National Women's Soccer League's salary cap rules, allowing member clubs to exceed the salary cap for players who meet any of several criteria based on their individual marketability. The NWSL introduced the rule in December 2025, widely understood to be in order to prevent Trinity Rodman leaving for a league without salary cap in the January 2026 window; the implementation of the rule was heavily criticized.
== History and implementation == ===Background: salary cap=== {{see also|National Women's Soccer League#Squad formation and salaries}} The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) uses a salary cap model that limits a whole club's roster to an overall limit. The NWSL clubs and players' union NWSLPA have lobbied for a higher salary cap, to allow for different options in roster building and better salaries for squad players. Many other women's national soccer leagues, including the Big Five, do not have salary caps; the NWSL also feared that the ability for such European clubs to spend big on star players would reduce quality in the NWSL. In 2025, the NWSL salary cap was increased by $200,000 as part of its season-on-season increase, taking the per-club cap to $3.5{{Nbsp}}million. The highest-earning players in Europe reportedly earn over $1{{Nbsp}}million individually a season. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman indicated the annual increases may not continue after 2026, stating that "in order to treat [the NWSL] like a business, it means that the amount that our teams are investing has to have a rational relationship to revenue."<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Kieran |date=2025-11-21 |title=NWSL "will fight" to keep Trinity Rodman after offer from rival league |url=https://shekicks.net/nwsl-fight-trinity-rodman-offer-rival-league/ |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=SheKicks |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===Rodman contract renewal === Trinity Rodman became the then-highest-paid NWSL player in 2022, with a contract over four seasons worth $1.1{{Nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Goff |first=Steven |author-link=Steven Goff |date=February 2, 2022 |title=After standout rookie season, Spirit signs Trinity Rodman to four-year, $1.1 million deal |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/02/02/trinity-rodman-washington-spirit-new-contract/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209142335/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2022/02/02/trinity-rodman-washington-spirit-new-contract/ |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |access-date=March 7, 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Caron |first=Emily |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Trinity Rodman Signs Record NWSL Pact Amid D.C. Ownership Battle |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/trinity-rodman-signs-record-nwsl-140019700.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031112606/https://sports.yahoo.com/trinity-rodman-signs-record-nwsl-140019700.html |archive-date=October 31, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2022 |publisher=Yahoo! Sports}}</ref> This contract will expire on December 31, 2025, making Rodman a free agent with interest from European clubs (and able to negotiate contracts from six months prior); with questions of their salary cap impeding Rodman staying in the NWSL, Berman said the league would fight to retain her.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/47038478/nwsl-vows-fight-keep-trinity-rodman-league|title=NWSL vows to 'fight' to keep Trinity Rodman in league|last1=Carlisle|first1=Jeff|last2=Kassouf|first2=Jeff|date=2025-11-20|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2025-12-03}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-12-17 |title=What Is Going on With Trinity Rodman’s Contract Dispute? |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/what-is-going-with-trinity-rodman-contract-dispute |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=SI |language=en-US}}</ref> At the start of December 2025, Rodman agreed a new contract with her club, the Washington Spirit, averaging at $1.1 million per season but back-loaded to allow for higher annual pay in years with higher salary caps; the NWSL (with which contracts are ultimately agreed) rejected the contract due to violating the spirit of the league's salary cap rules, without outright breaking them. The NWSLPA filed a grievance on behalf of Rodman, which caused the NWSL board to convene with an aim to changing rules to allow more freedom in the contracts it would permit.<ref name=":2" /> Media in the United States and Europe reported at the time that, after losing players like Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma to the Women's Super League (WSL), Rodman was the litmus test to determine if the NWSL would be structurally able to retain any of its top players, that the threat of Rodman leaving was "symbolically enormous" and the grievance outcome would reshape how salaries are handled in the NWSL.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Bryan Armen |date=2025-12-12 |title=Trinity Rodman: why US soccer could lose its most compelling star to Europe |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/12/trinity-rodman-nwsl-contract-europe-salary-cap-explainer |access-date=2025-12-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Westlake |first=Amanda |date=2025-12-11 |title=NWSL reportedly considering a solution to keep Trinity Rodman in the league |url=https://www.allforxi.com/nwsl/11277/nwsl-reportedly-considering-a-solution-to-keep-trinity-rodman-in-the-league-vote-haley-carter-designated-player-rule-mls-jessica-berman |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=All For XI |language=en-US}}</ref>
===High Impact Player Rule=== On December 23, 2025, the NWSL introduced what they called the High Impact Player Rule, a rule creating a caveat to the salary cap. It will allow, from 2026, NWSL clubs to spend $1{{Nbsp}}million above their salary cap on the wages of High Impact Players (HIP). HIPs must meet at least one of eight (it is only possible to meet up to seven) criteria that the NWSL has chosen to designate the most marketable women's footballers in the world. Rodman meets all seven criteria for which she is eligible; a source close to the league said the rule is "bigger than one player". Clubs may use the money above the cap to subsidise the salaries of one or multiple HIPs.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Olsen |first=Emily |last2=Griffin |first2=Tamerra |date=2025-12-24 |title=NWSL adds rule allowing stars to be paid $1m above cap despite players’ union opposition |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6914968/2025/12/23/nwsl-salary-cap-high-impact-player-rule/ |access-date=2025-12-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2025-12-24 |title=NWSL's high-impact player rule: A look at USWNT, world stars who could be eligible |url=https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/nwsls-high-impact-player-rule-eligible-players-uswnt-trinity-rodman/ |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}}</ref> Any contract using the rule must set the cap charge for HIPs at a minimum of 12% of the base salary cap.<ref name=":4" /> The rule will come into place on July 1, 2026, but contracts which will use it can be signed and begin before then, as long as no salary money above the cap is paid until after.<ref name=":3" /> The phasing-out of allocation money also means the HIP money would replace that, broader, method of supplementing salaries.<ref name=":5" />
The $1 million allowance is expected to increase season-on-season in line with salary cap increases, and has been compared to Major League Soccer (MLS)'s Designated Player Rule (the Beckham rule), which was introduced in order to bring high-salary players, specifically David Beckham, into the MLS from abroad. Though using the same mechanism to enhance salary, the Rodman rule is instead designed to help the NWSL retain top American talent,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-19 |title=NWSL players' union rejects proposed loophole to its salary cap as league fights to keep Trinity Rodman |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nwsl/nwsl-players-union-rejects-proposed-loophole-salary-cap-rcna248638 |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> and uses different mechanisms in player designation. Clubs cannot decide which players to designate above the salary cap themselves, but can apply the extra salary to pre-determined eligible players based on the set criteria.<ref name=":3" />
== Criteria == The NWSL described the HIP eligibility criteria as being a mix of "commercial and sporting".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polacek |first=Scott |title=Trinity Rodman-Inspired Rule Change Passed by NWSL Amid Rumors on Contract, Future |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25337738-trinity-rodman-inspired-rule-change-passed-nwsl-amid-rumors-contract-future |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}</ref>
Source(s):<ref name=":1" /> #Listed on SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes, within the one year prior to the current league season #Nominated for the Ballon d'Or Féminin (i.e. included in the top 30), in the two years prior to the current league season #Included in the top 40 on The 100 Best Female Footballers in the World list (published by ''The Guardian''), in the two years prior #Included in the top 40 of the ESPN50 (ESPN FC's top 50 football players in the world list), in the two years prior #For outfield players: Have among the top 11 most minutes played among outfielders for the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) in all competitions, in the prior two calendar years #For goalkeepers: Have the most minutes played among goalkeepers for the USWNT in all competitions, in the prior two calendar years #Be an NWSL Most Valuable Player finalist, within the previous two league seasons #Be included in the NWSL Best XI, within the previous two league seasons
== List of eligible High Impact Players == At the time of the rule's introduction, CBS Sports broke down the eligibility lists into groups of players meeting five–seven of the criteria, those meeting three–four of the criteria, and those meeting one or two criteria. It noted that looking at the top group made it apparent the rule seems designed to accommodate Rodman, and that the middle group was more diverse in its mix of NWSL stand-outs and international stars. With only one USWNT goalkeeper automatically eligible, CBS described it as "a quirk" that this fell to Alyssa Naeher, whose minutes were accumulated before she retired internationally.<ref name=":3" />
{{As of|2025|12|24}}, for the 2026 NWSL season {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" ! rowspan="3" |Player ! rowspan="3" |National team ! rowspan="3" |League ! colspan="8" |Eligible through criteria: ! rowspan="3" |Notes |- ! colspan="4" |Performance & marketability<ref name=NYT>{{Cite news |last=Griffin |first=Tamerra |date=2025-12-24 |title=NWSL’s new ‘high impact’ rule prioritizes a small pool of superstars – and they must be marketable |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6917069/2025/12/24/nwsl-rodman-rule-marketable-high-impact/ |access-date=2025-12-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-22 |title=Ballon d'Or Feminin 2025 official rankings: Aitana Bonmati beats Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo to Golden Ball after Barcelona treble and outstanding Euro 2025 |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ballon-dor-feminin-2025-official-rankings/blt9de2ca4481ef1dfb |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=Goal}}</ref><ref>https://www.uefa.com/ballondor/news/0291-1bc6d107dde0-77a8317e8ca0-1000--2024-ballon-d-or-awards-nominees-revealed/</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Laverty |first=Rich |last2=Duncan |first2=Pamela |last3=Blight |first3=Garry |last4=Bloor |first4=Steven |date=2024-12-07 |title=The 100 best female footballers in the world 2024 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/dec/03/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2024 |access-date=2025-12-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Laverty |first=Rich |date=2025-12-04 |title=The 100 best female footballers in the world 2025 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2025/dec/01/the-100-best-female-footballers-in-the-world-2025 |access-date=2025-12-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-24 |title=The 50 best women's soccer players in the world for 2025, ranked! |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/47101532/best-50-women-soccer-players-ranked-world-2025-espn-fc |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-13 |title=The 50 best women's soccer players in the world, ranked! |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/42095376/espn-2024-best-50-women-soccer-players-ranked-world |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |USWNT minutes<ref name=USWNT25>{{cite web|url= https://www.ussoccer.com/uswnt-stats|title=USWNT Stats 2025|date=December 2, 2025}}</ref><ref name=UWSNT24>{{cite web|url= https://www.ussoccer.com/uswnt-stats/2024|title=USWNT Stats 2024|date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> ! colspan="2" |NWSL awards<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWSL |date=2024-11-22 |title=Kansas City Current Forward Temwa Chawinga Named 2024 NWSL Most Valuable Player {{!}} National Women's Soccer League Official Site |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/kansas-city-current-forward-temwa-chawinga-named-2024-nwsl-most-valuable-player |access-date=2024-11-22 |website=NWSL |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/soccer/nwsl/2025/11/19/2025-nwsl-awards-channel-time-winners-list/87358665007/|title=2025 NWSL Awards live updates: Full list of winners, highlights|last=Henderson|first=Cydney|date=2025-11-19|website=USA Today|access-date=2025-11-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Players step out and celebrate 2025 season at NWSL Awards presented by AT&T |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/players-step-out-and-celebrate-2025-season-at-nwsl-awards-presented-by-at-t |access-date=November 20, 2025 |website=NWSL.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2024-11-18 |title=NWSL Announces Winners of 2024 NWSL Best XI Awards, presented by Amazon Prime |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-winners-of-2024-nwsl-best-xi-awards-presented-by-amazon-prime |access-date=2024-11-19}}</ref> |- !1 !2 !3 !4 !5 !6 !7 !8 |- |Trinity Rodman |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |Sophia Wilson |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |Marta |{{Fbw|Brazil}} |NWSL | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |Lindsey Heaps |{{Fbw|United States}} |Première Ligue | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Temwa Chawinga |{{Fbw|Malawi}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |Barbra Banda |{{Fbw|Zambia}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |Esther González |{{Fbw|Spain}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |Alexia Putellas |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Aitana Bonmatí |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Lucy Bronze |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Lauren James |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Patricia Guijarro |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Salma Paralluelo |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Emily Fox |{{Fbw|United States}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Alyssa Naeher |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Pernille Harder |{{Fbw|Denmark}} |FBL | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Keira Walsh |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Caroline Weir |{{Fbw|Scotland}} |Liga F | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Klara Bühl |{{Fbw|Germany}} |FBL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Melchie Dumornay |{{Fbw|Haiti}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Cristiana Girelli |{{Fbw|Italy}} |Serie A | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Sandy Baltimore |{{Fbw|France}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Caroline Graham Hansen |{{Fbw|Norway}} |Liga F | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Clàudia Pina |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Hannah Hampton |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Ewa Pajor |{{Fbw|Poland}} |Liga F | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Leah Williamson |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Chloe Kelly |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Alessia Russo |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Mariona Caldentey |{{Fbw|Spain}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Tabitha Chawinga |{{Fbw|Malawi}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Yui Hasegawa |{{Fbw|Japan}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Lauren Hemp |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Marie-Antoinette Katoto |{{Fbw|France}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Mayra Ramírez |{{Fbw|Colombia}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Khadija Shaw |{{Fbw|Jamaica}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Mallory Swanson |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Naomi Girma |{{Fbw|United States}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Delphine Cascarino |{{Fbw|France}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |- |Ann-Katrin Berger |{{Fbw|Germany}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Sam Coffey |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Mapi León |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Sofia Cantore |{{Fbw|Italy}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Johanna Rytting Kaneryd |{{Fbw|Sweden}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Giulia Gwinn |{{Fbw|Germany}} |FBL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Ada Hegerberg |{{Fbw|Norway}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Sjoeke Nüsken |{{Fbw|Germany}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Lea Schüller |{{Fbw|Germany}} |FBL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Grace Geyoro |{{Fbw|France}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Ona Batlle |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Linda Caicedo |{{Fbw|Colombia}} |Liga F | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Stina Blackstenius |{{Fbw|Sweden}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Jule Brand |{{Fbw|Germany}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Kadidiatou Diani |{{Fbw|France}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Guro Reiten |{{Fbw|Norway}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Fridolina Rolfö |{{Fbw|Sweden}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Rose Lavelle |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Manaka Matsukubo |{{Fbw|Japan}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{yes}} | |- |Beth Mead |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Mary Earps |{{Fbw|England}} |Première Ligue | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Millie Bright |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Steph Catley |{{Fbw|Australia}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Clara Mateo |{{Fbw|France}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Frida Maanum |{{Fbw|Norway}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Amanda Gutierres |{{Fbw|Brazil}} |Brasileirão | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Manuela Giugliano |{{Fbw|Italy}} |Serie A | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Gabi Portilho |{{Fbw|Brazil}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Tarciane |{{Fbw|Brazil}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir |{{Fbw|Iceland}} |FBL | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Cata Coll |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Alexandra Popp |{{Fbw|Germany}} |FBL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Georgia Stanway |{{Fbw|England}} |FBL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Irene Paredes |{{Fbw|Spain}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Katie McCabe |{{Fbw|Republic of Ireland}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Erin Cuthbert |{{Fbw|Scotland}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Olga Carmona |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Alex Greenwood |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Selma Bacha |{{Fbw|France}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Vicky López |{{Fbw|Spain}} |Liga F | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Aggie Beever-Jones |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Michelle Agyemang |{{Fbw|England}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Korbin Shrader |{{Fbw|United States}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Tierna Davidson |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Crystal Dunn |{{Fbw|United States}} |Première Ligue | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Emily Sonnett |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | |- |Bia Zaneratto |{{Fbw|Brazil}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | {{no}} | |- |Emily Sams |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Casey Krueger |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Kaleigh Kurtz |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Jenna Nighswonger |{{Fbw|United States}} |WSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Croix Bethune |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Lorena |{{Fbw|Brazil}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Tara McKeown |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Avery Patterson |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Izzy Rodriguez |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Kayla Sharples |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Claire Hutton |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |- |Olivia Moultrie |{{Fbw|United States}} |NWSL | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{no}} | {{yes}} | |}
=== NWSL teams with HIPs === {{As of|2025|12|24}} {| class="wikitable" !Team !{{Tooltip|No.|Number of eligible HIPs}} |- |Kansas City Current |7 |- |Gotham FC |6 |- |Washington Spirit |5 |- |Portland Thorns FC |3 |- |Orlando Pride |3 |- |Chicago Stars FC |2 |- |San Diego Wave FC |1 |- |North Carolina Courage |1 |- |Denver Summit FC |1 |- |Houston Dash |1 |}
== Criticism == The rule was criticized for focusing on marketability, and potentially media popularity, rather than other factors; for ignoring the NWSLPA's requests for a broader salary cap increase to improve conditions; for the Euro-centrism of many criteria; and for the criteria excluding many players who had already proven themselves as high-impact signings in the NWSL.<ref name=NYT/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Margaret |date=2025-12-24 |title=NWSL 'Rodman Rule' for Star Players: Who Would Qualify |url=https://frontofficesports.com/nwsl-rodman-rule-star-player-salary-cap-who-qualifies/ |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=Front Office Sports |language=en}}</ref>
The NWSLPA objected to the rule as, under US federal labor law, changes in salary cap (which is outlined in the NWSL's collective bargaining agreement) must be decided by agreement rather than unilateral action: Meghann Burke, as executive director of the NWSLPA, said that "Fair pay is realized through fair, collectively bargained compensation systems, not arbitrary classifications." They also had concerns regarding the speed with which the rule was introduced, and indicated they may take legal action to challenge it.<ref name=":1" /> The NWSLPA position remained to simply increase the salary cap by $1 million instead.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Margaret |date=2025-12-24 |title=NWSL 'Rodman Rule' for Star Players: Who Would Qualify |url=https://frontofficesports.com/nwsl-rodman-rule-star-player-salary-cap-who-qualifies/ |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=Front Office Sports |language=en}}</ref>
''Sports Illustrated'' opined that the rule was not sufficient cover to protect the NWSL from potential player departures, with the attraction of high-profile European football and international salaries that the NWSL salary cap is not prepared to match.<ref name=":2" /> CBS Sports felt that, though the first four criteria were relatively arbitrary, they "may have actually saved the NWSL's skin" as they are the only path to inclusion for some well-established international stars. Nevertheless, it thought that the lack of a criterion that could account for injury – the reason for players like Sam Kerr and Catarina Macario not being eligible – was an oversight. It also found it surprising that Lizbeth Ovalle, the most expensive women's transfer, did not meet any criteria.<ref name=":3" />
==See also== *Professionalism in women's association football
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Association football terminology Category:2025 in American women's soccer Category:Association football rules and regulations Category:Sports marketing Category:Women's association football-related lists