Categories: NWSL

NWSLPA files grievance against league

Photo: Paul Kahl

ASHVILLE, NC–The National Women’s Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) has filed a grievance with the league over the latter’s new “High Impact Player” (HIP) Rule which the union says was unilaterally implemented.

Similar to Major League Soccer’s Designated Player rules, on December 23rd of last year, the NWSL implemented the HIP Rule without bargaining with the Players Association. The rule creates a new compensation mechanism that allows teams to spend up to $1 million above the salary cap on select players who meet League-defined criteria, while simultaneously reducing those Players’ salary cap charges. The union has proposed that instead that the NWSL simply increase the salary cap by $1 million.

According to the league site, the criteria for meeting an HIP is as follows:

Players must meet one of the following commercial or sporting criteria to be considered a high impact player:

Player is on SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes within the one (1) year prior to the current league season; or,
Player is selected in the Top 30 in Ballon d’Or voting in the two (2) years prior to the current league season; or
Player is selected in the Top 40 of the Guardian Top 100 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior; or
Player is selected in the Top 40 of ESPN FC Top 50 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior; or
Top 11 minutes played for the USWNT in the prior two (2) calendar years for field players for all competition types; or
Top one (1) minutes played for USWNT in the prior two (2) calendar years for goalkeepers for all competition types; or
Player selected as NWSL MVP Finalist within previous the two (2) league seasons; or
Player selected to the End of Year NWSL Best XI First Team within the previous two (2) league seasons.

The says that the rule “reflects a historic increase in league investment” as league-wide player spend will increase by up to $16 million, with the potential to invest up to $115 million in additional player compensation over the term of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement which runs through 2030. The rule is set to go into effect on July 1st.

Citing player compensation is a mandatory subject of bargaining and that the CBA comprehensively governs salaries, the team salary cap, and free agency. The Players Association maintains that the league has no authority to unilaterally create a new pay structure that bypasses negotiated rules.

“This was a unilateral decision by the League to change how a Player’s fair market value is evaluated,” said Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the NWSLPA. “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. 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.”

“We agree that growing investment in Players is important for the league’s future. But lasting progress requires a clear, shared process with Players involved. That’s how you build a market that is stable and fair,” said Tori Huster, Deputy Executive Director of the NWSLPA.”

The union is asking for a rescission of the HIP Rule (aka “The Rodman Rule” given recent offers made to Trinity Rodman) and require the league to bargain in good faith.