Story byNWSL board in advanced talks to add funds to pay players like Rodman competitive salaries: SourcesMeg LinehanThu, December 11, 2025 at 11:31 PM UTC·6 min readThe National Women’s Soccer League board of governors is currently having advanced discussions to create a new roster mechanism, allowing teams to pay players “significantly” beyond the current salary cap, according to multiple league sources who were not authorized to speak freely on the topic. ESPN first reported the rule change proposal, which could pass ahead of next week’s board meeting involving team owners and commissioner Jessica Berman. The potential rule change comes as the NWSL and the Washington Spirit work hand in hand to sign star forward and free agent Trinity Rodman to a new deal. However, the sources indicated that the change in approach to the salary cap is “bigger than one player,” and while it may resolve the ongoing negotiations with Rodman and her representation, there is no solution yet and no contract has been signed. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThere is also the issue of a grievance filed by the NWSL Players Association against the league on Rodman’s behalf over collective bargaining agreement violations, which the rule change would not directly resolve.