NWSL faces critical decision - is a 'Rodman Rule' the answer?
Expansion, expansion, expansion. The NWSL has been growing at a rapid rate over the past two years with new clubs announced in Boston, Denver and Atlanta to add to the 14 existing clubs and Commissioner Jessica Berman, fresh from her contract extension, making clear that growth continues to be the goal and that the league will maintain a 'rolling' approach to further expansion.
But this week, for once, the headlines have been about different kinds of challenges for the league - namely the effectiveness of the salary cap, in a global sport, and the issue of whether to align with MLS on the calendar switch.
The salary cap issue has come to the fore amid reports of English clubs from the WSL showing interest in signing the league's star attraction, USWNT forward Trinity Rodman. There is no salary cap in European women's soccer and while the NWSL considers itself, with some justification, to be the top women's league in the world, the economic pull of Europe is a real threat to that status.
Rodman is the best paid player in the NWSL earning a base salary of $281,000 with the Washington Spirit. Her four year deal with the club comes to an end after Saturday's NWSL Championship game where the Spirit take on Gotham FC in San Jose. She'll be a free agent and able to evaluate any offers from abroad or a reported lucrative offer from DC Power of the USL's Gainbridge Super League which does not have any cap restrictions in place. The Athletic reported that the DC offer is "significantly larger than what the Spirit or NWSL is able to counter under current salary cap limitations".
“It is in commissioner Jessica Berman’s hands now to decide what to do with the cap space,” Rodman’s agent Mike Senkowski told The Athletic. “Soccer is a global game; it’s nice to have global options.”
Berman and the league have the power to raise the cap at any time, in agreement with the NWSL players association, but while the Commissioner has said she will 'fight' to keep Rodman, she will know that it is extremely hard to make exceptions for individual players or clubs and she also recently stated that salaries must have a "rational relationship to revenue".
While MLS has to battle to earn status internationally, regarding itself as a plucky start-up in terms of competition with the Premier League and European competitions, the NWSL, largely thanks to the global success of the USWNT, has been regarded as the pace-setter in women's domestic competition. But money is flowing into the women's game in Europe with the main clubs bank-rolled by the same ownerships as the top men's teams and it is clear that there is a real competition for talent. Earlier this year, USWNT forward Alyssa Thompson departed Angel City for Chelsea, while Naomi Girma, Lindsey Heaps and others have crossed the Atlantic. Other Europe-based USWNT stars such as Cat Macario and Lily Yohannes, have never played in the NWSL.
Rodman though is in a different category than all those players given her marketability and all-round star status. She is the biggest name in American women's soccer since Alex Morgan. NWSL may value the parity that the salary cap brings but does it want to become an evenly-balanced league whose best players move to Europe?
The concern is real within the league. A recent ESPN survey of league general managers found execs were worried about the salary cap restrictions leading to a drain on talent. "Right now, top talent is going only one way," on anyonmous GM said. "We're not seeing that the other way around. We're not seeing players that are in top clubs in their prime coming this way. Yes, for now, it's only a handful of players that have left, but if that becomes a trend, then that will be an issue."
A Rodman move to rival domestic league, while that seems a long shot, could be even more damaging for the NWSL with the fans in DC still able to watch the star, if they choose to switch allegiance from Washington Spirit to DC Energy, who play at Audi Field, the home of MLS's DC United. USL'S Super League is formally sanctioned as a Division 1 league by US Soccer but has yet to really challenge the status of the NWSL. Signing Rodman might not shift the balance towards them definitively but it would be a significant step.
But while expansion and growing tv ratings have created a positive vibe around the league, there is still the reality of clubs needing to increase revenue to avoid losing money. The risk in allowing wage inflation is obvious. Commissioner Berman is in a really tricky spot.
Washington Spirit are owned by Michelle Kang, who has been a generous and prominent backer of the women's game and the NWSL. One option that the league may now have to consider is to follow the example of MLS and adopt a 'Rodman Rule' as their version of the 'Beckham Rule' which led to the creation of the 'Designated Player'.
MLS is able to attract talent from abroad and in some cases keep hold of domestic talent by having the salaries of Designated Players not count against the cap. Such a rule would allow Kang to offer Rodman a European level salary while keeping the overall parity of the league in place.
The fact that some clubs would welcome the chance to sign 'Designated Players' and strengthen their squads while others might not be in position to invest in significant on-field assets would impact the parity that the league is proud of - but it might be the only way to avoid losing Rodman and potentially even more quality young players.
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Separately, Commissioner Berman noted that the NWSL "ecosystem is on notice" regarding a potential flip of the league calendar to align with the global schedule (late summer to late spring). This debate has been ongoing for years, and while the NWSL Board of Governors voted against a calendar change in fall 2024, MLS recently announced it will flip its season beginning in 2027. MLS's decision could complicate NWSL venue availability: 12 of 16 NWSL teams share venues with an MLS team, and the shifting of MLS playoffs to May—the traditional start of the NWSL season— could make early scheduling difficult.
MLS begins succession process for eventual Garber exit?
MLS owners have reatined The Miles Group (TMG) to assist them with planning for the future, including life without Commissioner Don Garber, the Sports Business Journal reported. Garber, who has led the league since 1999, has a contract that expires at the end of the 2027 MLS season. His departure timeline is unclear, but Deputy Commissioner Gary Stevenson also plans to retire after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The next commissioner will be tasked with leading the "MLS 3.0" era, which includes implementing the newly approved calendar switch to fall-to-spring alignment, reforming roster construction rules to allow for more spending on players, and enhancing the league’s global relevance.
The news came out of last week's MLS Board meeting in Palm Beach, Florida - a place that many successful New Yorkers have retired to. While Garber has spoken several times recently of the end of his career being on the horizon, he also appears fully committed to the role and it is still hard to imagine him being quite ready for the quiet life on the beach.
MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche's comments to the SBJ suggested that TMG's remit is much broader than the issue of succession: “Major League Soccer is currently engaged in a comprehensive, league-wide strategic planning process led by Commissioner Garber together with a committee of MLS owners and an external consulting firm,” Courtemanche said. “This process, which began in late summer 2025, is focused on strengthening the league’s organizational structure and preparing MLS for the opportunities and challenges that come with being a growing sports league. Like is the case with most high-performance organizations, this work includes broad, long-term succession planning for senior leadership positions, along with a holistic review of organizational design and operational effectiveness across the league office.”
The Soccer Business Podcast: Alan Rothenberg
What was it like to organize the 1994 World Cup in the USA at a time when there was no professional league and after the 1990 World Cup in Italy wasn't even broadcast on English language television in the country?
Alan Rothenberg was the man charged with making a success of a tournament which many in the European football establishment and even within FIFA considered a very risky venture. He became president of US Soccer and after the tournament was a soaraway success, with record crowds, he helped deliver on a key part of the World Cup deal - create a new professional league in the USA, in the form of Major League Soccer.
Alan has a new book coming out in February on his memories of the 1994 tournament which is packed full of inside stories and anecdotes about those very different times which proved to be the launching pad for the modern American soccer industry. You can pre-order the book at Amazon.
I was privileged to enjoy a lovely chat on this week's podcast with Alan about 1994 and the challenges that he and the organizers faced and the lessons they learnt from the event.
Alan Rothenberg put American soccer on the map globally and it's well worth listening to his reflections on how that process began, as we look forward to the return of the World Cup to these shores. You can also listen on Apple or any other of the main podcast platforms.
MLS reveals season break for World Cup
Major League Soccer has revealed its 2026 calendar, highlighting a significant seven-week pause from May 25 through July 16 to accommodate the 2026 FIFA World Cup being held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This is a much longer break than previous World Cup interruptions, enacted to allow players to report to their national teams, given the anticipated record number of MLS players on World Cup rosters. The season will kick off on February 21 with Inter Miami facing LAFC at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and the regular season will conclude on November 7 (Decision Day). Inter Miami will also debut their new stadium, Miami Freedom Park, on April 4.
U.S. Soccer appoints former Deloitte exec as COO
The U.S. Soccer Federation has appointed Dan Helfrich, former Deloitte Consulting LLP Chair and CEO, as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Helfrich, who begins on January 1, 2026, will oversee daily operations, focusing on optimizing business processes and executing strategic initiatives to drive growth. This newly created role reports to CEO & General Secretary JT Batson. Helfrich previously chaired the Next Gen College Soccer Committee and is also viewed by industry insiders as a potential successor for MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
USL Championship enhances broadcast for final
The USL Championship Final, which features FC Tulsa hosting Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, OK, is set to be the largest championship final production in the league's history. The match, capping the USL’s 15th season, will air on CBS, Paramount+, and TUDN on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET.
The production, a collaboration between the USL and NEP Group, reflects the league’s significant growth trajectory. NEP is providing specialized capture solutions and production services, utilizing the NCP7 A and B mobile units on site.
Key production upgrades for the final include a 16-camera complement utilizing a drone, a jib, an RF shallow-depth-of-field gimbal, and super-slo-mo robos in both nets. The team is also deploying Ross Video’s Piero sports-graphics-analysis platform throughout the production to add entertainment value, analytics, and sponsor value. (Sports Video News)
Canada Soccer Business secures Bundesliga rights
This is an interesting one Canadian Soccer Business (CSB), which manages the business of Canada's national teams and the Canadian Premier League, has acquired the non-exclusive media rights to the Bundesliga, Germany's top-flight men's soccer league in an innovative deal. These rights will be licensed to CSB's OneSoccer platform, making it one of the Bundesliga's Official Broadcasting Partners in Canada.
The partnership aims to connect Canadian fans more closely with their national tea superstar Alphonso Davies of FC Bayern Munich. Every FC Bayern match will be available live and on demand on OneSoccer, along with coverage of the rest of the Bundesliga action. Kind of an Alphonso Channel.
The agreement also includes rights for the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup and the Relegation Play-Offs. Live coverage was scheduled to begin on Friday, November 21. CSB views this deal as a milestone in its vision to create an integrated soccer hub and elevate media and storytelling in Canada. The main rights holder for the Bundesliga in Canada is DAZN who broadcast English and French language coverage of all Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 matches.
DoorDash named FIFA tournament supporter
DoorDash has become an Official Tournament Supporter for both the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™. The partnership spans nine countries, with DoorDash serving as the Official On-Demand Pick-Up and Delivery Supporter. Notably, DoorDash will also be the first-of-its-kind Official Restaurant Reservations Platform Supporter for a FIFA tournament, helping fans in select U.S. cities discover and book tables to watch games. Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho is set to feature in the partnership's digital campaigns.
SiriusXM launches new dedicated Serie A show
SiriusXM is teaming up with Lega Serie A to launch a new weekly audio show focused on Italy’s top professional league. “Serie A: Calcio – Made in Italy” debuted November 20 and airs every Thursday on SiriusXM FC (channel 157). The show, which complements existing live match broadcasts, will feature expert hosts including veteran commentator Adam Summerton and Spezia Calcio President Charlie Stillitano.
Denver Summit NWSL stadium hits trouble
Financing for the expansion Denver Summit's proposed stadium has come up against some obstacles in local government which led to the team to warn that it may consider moving out of Denver if solutions cannot be found.
“Denver Summit FC ownership is committed to fulfilling our obligations to the league, our fans, our athletes and the community. That means we need to deliver a purpose-built stadium for women’s professional soccer – on time, ready for play in March of 2028. We have been planning for a permanent stadium at Santa Fe Yards in Denver’s urban core. Given the challenges we have faced in the Denver City Council process, we are currently pursuing a parallel path regarding the stadium site and engaging with other jurisdictions outside Denver. We will continue to engage in an open and honest dialogue with the Mayor, City Council and Community in Denver.” (Full story here)
The team is scheduled to join NWSL next season and plans to play the opening two campaigns at Broncos Stadium in Denver.
Greenville snag naming rights deal for new stadium
The new home for the Greenville Triumph (USL League One) and Greenville Liberty (USL W League) soccer teams, located at BridgeWay Station in Mauldin, South Carolina, will be known as GE Vernova Park, following a multi-year naming rights agreement announced on November 15, 2025. The agreement between GE Vernova and Greenville Pro Soccer was brokered by Wasserman. Construction for the venue, which is a public-private partnership involving the City of Mauldin, the State of South Carolina, Greenville Pro Soccer, and Hughes Investments, is currently underway, with the first soccer matches anticipated in 2026. GE Vernova Park is set to be a premier community destination with a seating capacity of 4,300 and a total capacity of 6,300, hosting not only men’s and women’s soccer but also youth sports, concerts, festivals, and community events. This sponsorship reflects GE Vernova's dedication to the Upstate South Carolina region, where the company is planning to hire over 500 people this year and more in 2026, building on a prior announcement of adding 650 jobs and $160 million into its Greenville facility.
SUM secure Ria in another Mexico sponsorship deal
The Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF) and Soccer United Marketing (SUM), the commercial arm and partner of Mexico’s annual U.S. Tour for more than two decades, announced a multi-year partnership agreement with Ria Money Transfer (Ria), a global leader in the cross-border money transfer industry and business segment of Euronet Worldwide (NASDAQ: EEFT) . Through this agreement, Ria will become the official remittance services partner of both the Mexican Men’s and Women’s National Teams. The deal is the latest in a series of partnership secured by SUM which is the commercial arm of Major League Soccer.
