Kelley O'Hara Calls Out NWSL's 'High Impact Player' Rule

Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

Kelley O'Hara Calls Out NWSL's 'High Impact Player' Rule

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Manuel Meza Cienfuegos | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 9:25 PM ET

Trinity Rodman was the subject of speculation about a move to European soccer a few weeks ago, but she ultimately signed a three-year contract extension with the Washington Spirit in January 2026, through the 2028 season.

U.S. soccer women's national team legend Kelley O'Hara recently spoke about this situation, specifically about the new High Impact Player rule implemented to retain stars of Rodman's caliber, 23.

O'Hara said, via the "Time Wasting" podcast, "The Rodman Rule, people are calling it. The Rodman Rule. As her friend, so happy that she re-signed for Spirit."

"Happy for myself, happy for the league. I was like, thank God she's staying, and we get to see her on the field. But also, she is one of those players who brings such honesty and is just her true self at every moment, and brings so much excitement and like pizzazz and enjoyment and drama and spice and all these things that like we need in NWSL on the field and off the field."

Trinity Rodman #2 of Washington Spirit smiles before the NWSL Championship match between Washington Spirit and Gotham FC at PayPal Park on November 22, 2025, in San Jose, California.Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images

That said, despite the praise, O'Hara pointed out that she disagrees with the rule's implementation.

"Yes, the NWSL needed to do everything they possibly could to keep her here. However, I do disagree with this rule."

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The High Impact Player rule allows NWSL clubs to go up to $1 million over the salary cap to pay certain players who meet specific criteria, such as being a key player, having significant minutes with their national team, receiving award nominations, etc.

The announcement of this rule's implementation, made in December 2025, coincided with the weeks of drama surrounding Rodman, who, with a salary exceeding $2 million annually, is now the highest-paid player in the world.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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