NWSL Salary Cap Under Scrutiny In New GM Survey
The NWSL’s salary cap has returned to the spotlight after ESPN’s annual anonymous General Manager (GM) survey revealed widespread concern among league executives regarding its impact on talent acquisition and retention.
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According to the report, 85% of surveyed general managers believe the current $3.5 million salary cap — even with the incremental yearly increases mandated by the CBA — is restricting the league’s competitiveness, particularly as top players continue to pursue more lucrative opportunities in Europe.
“Right now, top talent is going only one way,” one GM told ESPN. “We’re not seeing players that are in top clubs in their prime coming this way… If that becomes a trend, then that will be an issue.”
The survey also covered commissioner Jessica Berman’s performance, league expansion, and evaluations of club operations across the NWSL.
Commissioner Rating: 54% of executives rated Berman between three and three-and-a-half stars out of five.
Expansion Outlook: 40% expressed support for her long-term plan to expand the league to 32 teams.
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Club Assessments: Kansas City was overwhelmingly viewed as a club helping elevate the league both on and off the field.
Meanwhile, 40% of respondents identified Chicago as “holding the league back,” with one GM remarking, “The ones at the bottom of the standings are there for a reason.”
With player movement trends shifting and teams evaluating their competitive futures, the survey underscores a growing call for structural adjustments as the NWSL continues to chase global relevance.
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