USWNT Veteran Provides Ultimate NWSL Solution for Concerning Issues: “Would Never Want to Leave”

It may not seem like it, but from the looks of it, the NWSL is in hot water. Since the offseason, a growing trend of players leaving the American women’s soccer league for overseas competitions has made it clear that something is amiss. While it’s crucial for stakeholders to address this issue before it escalates, Tobin Heath might just have a solution.

The USWNT icon believes the NWSL has so much potential that players should never feel the need to look elsewhere for opportunities. Not to mention, the league has shown remarkable growth since its inception. With tremendous talents, franchise expansions, and significant club developments, it is on a trajectory toward greatness—a feeling that Tobin couldn’t agree more with.

“The NWSL is a strong league with independent ownership, with valuations skyrocketing, with all of the women’s sports wanting to follow the trends that are the NWSL,” began Heath on the latest episode of the RE—Inc podcast. She highlighted the significance of brands and teams like Angel City that are constantly bringing new trends into the league, while simultaneously creating a window of opportunities.

Aside from setting important values in women’s sports, the majority of the teams have been driving cultural change, and represent causes worth investing in. She emphasized that these are the kinds of initiatives people should want to support—not just for themselves, but for future generations. Even though this is the true magic of the NWSL, Heath is disappointed to see the league facing such turmoil.

While touching on the consecutive mass exodus, Heath said, “You know what you do to keep Naomi Girma? You pay her.” Further urging the league to step up their efforts to keep players happy, the icon added, “You set up an environment that she would never want to leave. You give her everything in the world.” 

The former US international also cited the example of Orlando Pride’s Kerolin joining Manchester City. She stated the NWSL must have a financial edge over rival leagues to fend off their interest in the players. “Honestly, even with Kerolin going, I promise you, if you’re competing, if you’re going over the wages, she’s going to want to stay and play in a hotter climate, closer to home,” concluded Heath.

Heath’s words point to one key issue: the salary cap. While big European clubs have no trouble spending freely, she sees this as a glaring reminder of the major limitations faced by NWSL teams.

Is the salary cap an issue for the NWSL?

In the same segment, Tobin Heath touched on NWSL’s strict salary cap. She insisted that it’s creating a big ‘problem‘ for the America-based league, with players earning limited, unlike in Europe. In fact, her fellow co-host and partner Christen Press also agreed stating, “The difference is so gross that it makes it almost not worthy of a daily discussion as to why players are going to the UK.”

For context, in 2024, the NWSL’s salary cap was set at approximately $2.4 million, meaning teams had to manage all player salaries within this limit. For 2025, the cap has increased to $3.3 million—a notable year-over-year rise. However, compared to Europe, the disparity is striking. Chelsea, for instance, spent $12.5 million on transfers alone in 2024. It is a figure exceeding the combined budgets of multiple NWSL teams.

While the WSL does have a salary cap, it operates under a “soft cap” model. It allows clubs to allocate up to 40% of their revenue toward player salaries, including funds from parent clubs. Of course, this system has been criticized for widening the financial gap between clubs. Then again, it at least doesn’t limit WSL’s ability to attract top international players, unlike NWSL.

Regardless, one thing is clear: the NWSL must develop a plan to improve the financial compensation it offers its players. Failure to do so could lead to further setbacks for the league.