NWSLPA: 'Rodman rule' violates CBA, grievance filed

The NWSL Players Association filed a grievance with the league to call for the revocation of the new "High Impact Player" rule, contending it breaches the collective bargaining agreement and federal labor law.

The HIP mechanism announced in December permits NWSL clubs to exceed the salary cap by as much as $1 million in order to sign certain valuable players, as defined by an expansive list of criteria that includes a marketability threshold and being shortlisted for major awards.

The union opposes the "unilateral decision by the league to change how a player's fair market value is evaluated," NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke said in a statement Wednesday.

"We agree that increasing investment in player compensation is necessary to remain competitive in the global labor market. The solution is straightforward and collectively bargained by raising the salary cap," Burke said. "What the league cannot do is invent a parallel pay system outside the salary cap that was never negotiated, then limit access to compensation through league-controlled criteria that excludes some players."

The CBA allows the NWSL to "reduce or eliminate the salary cap charge for certain roster classifications" after consulting with the NWSLPA. The league and union disagree about whether "high-impact" is a roster classification.

Dubbed the "Trinity Rodman rule," the HIP rule was introduced as the Washington Spirit tried to negotiate a lucrative contract extension with the USWNT star and dissuade her from leaving for Europe.

Commissioner Jessica Berman vetoed a backloaded four-year contract that reportedly would have paid Rodman more than $1 million per season, framing it as an attempt to circumvent the salary cap.

The NWSLPA filed a separate pending grievance in early December to oppose the rejection of the deal.

Rodman's previous four-year, $1.1 million contract with the Spirit expired Dec. 31, making her a free agent.

"Our goal is to ensure that the very best players in the world, including Trinity, continue to call this league home," the NWSL said in a statement when Rodman's contract was blocked. "We will do everything we can, utilizing every lever available within our rules to keep Trinity Rodman here."

--Field Level Media