Gotham FC Governor and co-owner Carolyn Tisch Blodgett just dropped some truth bombs, and she’s standing firm: she supports both league-wide salary caps AND the controversial High Impact Player (HIP) rule. This is huge, especially with the NWSL Players Association actively fighting that very rule.
Why Competitive Balance Matters For Every Fan
Blodgett, who also owns a piece of the New York Giants, knows a thing or two about competitive balance. She told the Front Office Sports ‘Asset Class’ event that the NFL’s magic, where “the Green Bay Packers can beat the LA Rams on any given Sunday,” is all about the salary cap. That’s what keeps us glued to the TV every year. She wants the NWSL to keep its hard salary cap, even if top European leagues, both men’s and women’s, don’t traditionally have them. For her, attracting stars is critical in soccer, a global sport where U.S. leagues have to compete for top talent worldwide. But here’s the kicker: she still believes teams can be creative and build dynasties within those caps, citing the MLS’s $6.425 million cap that allows some players to exceed the max salary.
The ‘Trinity Rodman Rule’ Is Stirring Things Up
The real fireworks are around the HIP rule, famously called the Trinity Rodman rule. This bad boy lets teams blow past their $3.7 million salary cap by up to another $1 million for players who hit specific criteria for awards, national team play, or marketability. Gotham FC, the reigning NWSL champs, actually used it to bring back U.S. Women’s National Team members Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett. Blodgett sees this as key to landing big names. “What’s really clear in sports right now is that stars are driving interest,” she said. “You can’t build one of the best leagues in the world if you don’t have stars.” But not everyone agrees, obviously. The NWSL Players Association filed a grievance back in January, claiming the HIP rule messes with their collective bargaining agreement and federal labor law. Gotham’s own Midge Purce went on record saying she “hates” the rule because it limits what players can earn.
Building a Championship Future Off the Field
Beyond the contract battles, Blodgett is focused on building up Gotham FC itself. After buying into the New York/New Jersey-based team in November 2023, the same month they won the NWSL title, she noted player experience suffered without a dedicated training facility. So, get this: Gotham is dropping $35 million on a new training facility in Whippany, New Jersey, for the 2027 season. “You really can’t underestimate what it means to be in a shared space,” Blodgett said, adding that “to be one of the best teams in the world, you have to control your venue, you have to control your own space, and you have to create one of the best places to train.”
So, while Gotham FC is making big moves for its future, the battle over how the NWSL balances star power with player earnings is definitely far from settled. This grievance is ongoing, and it’s something every fan should keep an eye on.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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