NWSL drops controversial criteria around ‘Rodman Rule’ in settlement with NWSLPA

Trinity Rodman became the first player to sign under the NWSL’s High Impact Player mechanism earlier this year. Photograph: Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images/Reuters

The NWSL and the NWSL Players Association have reached a settlement to drop the restrictive criteria around the controversial High Impact Player (HIP) rule, allowing any player to earn the league’s highest salaries.

The NWSL introduced the rule late last year, allowing teams to spend an additional $1m above the salary cap to sign star players. Players with the designation had to meet one of eight criteria, ranging from US national team minutes and Ballon d’Or recognition to NWSL Best XI honors to media lists, including the Guardian’s Top 100 and a ranking that ordered athletes by marketability.