# Rodman rule revised but NWSL star retention battle continues > NWSL updates Rodman rule to let clubs spend extra funds on any player, but star retention fight persists. - Title: Rodman rule revised but NWSL star retention battle continues - Summary: NWSL updates Rodman rule to let clubs spend extra funds on any player, but star retention fight persists. NWSL revised the Rodman rule to allow teams to… - Keywords: nwsl, trinity rodman, high impact player, salary cap, rodney rule, nwsl players association, ballon d'or, uswnt, club world cup, concacaf champions cup, sports, Rodman - Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/29/rodman-rule-revised-fight-keep-stars-nwsl-moving-the-goalposts - Published: 2026-10-29T14:34:43+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: nwsl, trinity rodman, high impact player, salary cap, rodney rule, nwsl players association, ballon d'or, uswnt, club world cup, concacaf champions cup, sports ## Rodman rule revised NWSL revised the Rodman rule to allow teams to spend additional funds on any player without requiring global recognition criteria. > Gone are the eight criteria to be a High Impact Player so clubs can spend their money on whomever they want ## Original rule aimed at star retention The rule was created to prevent top players from leaving the league for European clubs after Trinity Rodman's contract saga. > Admittedly, when the new policy arrived on the scene last winter, it appeared half-baked, a somewhat frantic attempt to keep rodman from floating across the atlantic ## Original criteria included eight categories Players needed to meet one of eight categories including SportsPro Media’s top 150 Most Marketable Athletes or ESPN’s Top 50. > It also included espn's top 50, the guardian's top 100, top minutes on the us national team, the ballon d'or's 30-player list ## Players Association challenged rule The NWSL Players Association argued the initial criteria violated federal labor law and demanded changes. > Announced friday, nwsl settled a grievance with the league's players association, who argued that the initial criteria violated federal labor law ## New rule removes global criteria Starting next season, teams can spend an additional $1.257m on any player without requiring global recognition. > The post-grievance difference is that teams can spend that additional sum on any player. Gone are the stipulations mandating adherence to that eight-criteria list of global recognition ## Rule change benefits injured players The update helps players with long-term injuries or those who fell short of previous criteria, like Ashley Sanchez. > It gives the nwsl's individual teams the autonomy to decide which players are worthy, based on whatever criteria they see fit ## Rule change helps cash-strapped teams Teams with limited budgets can now manage rosters without overextending financially. > And, with a cap on the number of players that can access it, it gives cash-strapped teams the theoretical ability to rein in teams with already-stacked rosters ## Original rule aimed at global recognition The league initially wanted to reward players with international fame to compete with European clubs. > The original hip criteria had its eye on awarding stardom as it's seen in the global market ## Ballon d'or example shows global disparity Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d'or after playing for two top clubs, while Ewa Pajor only played for one. > Alexia putellas, who collected her third main prize, now plays in london. That putellas deserves her trophy is not in dispute ## NWSL retains focus on domestic talent The league prioritizes keeping USWNT players in the US and building domestic appeal. > With that in mind, plus the ever-pressing desire to keep uswnt players in the us, the original hip criteria had its eye on awarding stardom as it's seen in the global market ## Star retention remains challenging The NWSL continues to struggle with keeping top talent after revising the Rodman rule. > The fight to keep stars in the nwsl goes on ## Key takeaway NWSL revised the Rodman rule to allow teams to spend additional funds on any player without requiring global recognition criteria, but the league continues to struggle with keeping top talent.