NWSL Rodman Deal: Proof of Concept for HIP Rule
- NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman cited the historic deal between United States forward Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit as evidence that the league's new High Impact Player is...
- "We couldn't be more excited to have Trinity in the NWSL," Berman told ESPN on Friday.
- Rodman became the first player in NWSL history to officially utilize the High Impact Player rule with the signing of her new three-year contract that was announced on...
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NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman cited the historic deal between United States forward Trinity Rodman and the Washington Spirit as evidence that the league’s new High Impact Player is working as intended: to retain and attract top players.
“We couldn’t be more excited to have Trinity in the NWSL,” Berman told ESPN on Friday. “we always said that it was a priority and that we would fight for her and that our goal was to find a way to sign her within the confines of the rules that apply to all clubs, and we were able to do that.”
Rodman became the first player in NWSL history to officially utilize the High Impact Player rule with the signing of her new three-year contract that was announced on Thursday. The deal will pay Rodman over $2 million annually all-in, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN, making her the highest-paid player in NWSL history.
According to her agent, Mike Senkowski, it also makes her the highest-paid women’s player in the world.
The NWSL Players Association, however, opposes the implementation of the High Impact Player (HIP) rule and recently filed a formal grievance attesting that the league’s implementation of it violates the collective bargaining agreement and federal labor law.
The HIP rule, which has already colloquially been dubbed the “Rodman Rule,” allows teams to spend up to $1 million over the salary cap on star players.
Instead, the PA proposed raising the cap by $1 million with no qualifications needed for players.
But Berman said the HIP rule was implemented to strategically grow the league. the NWSL has lost USWNT stars Naomi Girma, Alyssa Thompson and WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert Addresses Contract Grievances
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert stated that the league denied approval of player contracts due to violations of league rules. The league maintains it applies its rules consistently across all teams and players.
Engelbert specifically referenced a previously proposed deal, stating, “In the macro, it is indeed our job to apply our rules consistently and with integrity across all of our clubs. For that reason, the contract was not approvable.”
WNBA Players Association and Potential Arbitration
The contract disputes have led to grievances filed by the players,and both cases could proceed to arbitration. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association outlines the process for resolving such disputes.
the current CBA was ratified in January 2020, representing a landmark agreement for player compensation and benefits. WNBA and WNBA Players Association Ratify Historic CBA (WNBA.com, January 14, 2020).
Cathy Engelbert Maintains Positive League-Union Relationship
Despite the recent disagreements, engelbert expressed confidence that the grievances haven’t damaged the league’s relationship with the WNBA Players Association or its players.
Engelbert stated, “Not from my viewpoint. I wouldn’t speak for anyone else. From my perspective, absolutely not.It’s our job to operate professionally, transparently and with respect. We have done that; we’ll continue to do that. Based on my assessment of how we continue to operate with the Players Association, that has not changed.”
As of January 23, 2024, ther have been no further public developments regarding the specific contract disputes or the scheduling of potential arbitration hearings. ESPN WNBA Coverage provides ongoing updates on league news.