Commissioner Jess Berman talks NWSL salary cap and expansion, plus Full Time's Ballon d'Or predictions
Full Time: A show about women's soccer
The Athletic
4.8 • 756 Ratings
🗓️ 19 September 2025
⏱️ 36 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
It was a big week of NWSL news, with plenty of updates and glimpses into the league's future plans. So, on this week's Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits dives into what we learned from the NWSL’s Autumn press conference, where commissioner Jess Berman answered lots of questions regarding the salary cap, player safety, expansion and her future plans to stay on. Alongside Jillian is Melanie Anzidei and Asli Pelit, who were at the league headquarters in New York City covering the press conference for The Athletic.
After that, Megan Feringa also comes on the show to join Melanie and Asli for a round table discussing the 2025 women's Ballon d'Or, the biggest talking points and who deserves to take home the crown on Monday night.
PLUS: Get focused with Full Time's 1-2-3 of what to watch this weekend from the Houston Dash's NWSL playoff dreams needing a jolt, an early NWSL playoff 'get-right' game in the Rose City, and a top four clash in the English Women's Super League.
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Referenced on the show:
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman says she ‘intends to be around’ as 4-year contract nears end
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman talks expansion, salary cap and player safety
NWSL to launch pair of combines to help identify prospective players
Reign defeat Racing in resumed match after Savannah DeMelo’s medical emergency
Inside Alyssa Thompson’s move to Chelsea: Tearful goodbyes, late nights and customary pizza
Who should win the women’s Ballon d’Or: Aitana Bonmati, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly?
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Melanie Anzidei, Asli Pelit, Megan Feringa
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Get in touch: [email protected]
Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime
Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter here
Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub here
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Transcript
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| 1:44.4 | Looking into our crystal ball, Asla, what will be the biggest talking point come Monday? What is going to be the theme of this 2025 women's Ballandor? |
| 1:48.5 | Hope is that NWSL player takes Ballondor home. |
| 1:52.6 | And that's going to be the talk of the town, hopefully. |
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