Our position is that anything involving, this is a player compensation rule that must be

collectively bargained. We are prepared to bargain in good faith, and we have proposed that instead of

implementing what we think is an ill-conceived, convoluted rule that does not achieve its intended

purpose, that the league instead simply increase the salary cap by the same amount of money they're already willing to spend.

We think it's a very fair and reasonable proposal.

Hi, and happy New Year. Welcome back to full time. I am Tamara Griffin. Sorry, I forgot that this is our first time seeing each other and hanging out in 2026. I feel like there's been sort of like this long string of time where I think I said this last week. You sort of just forget what day it is. And in terms of this high-impact player rule that the NWSEL announced

two weeks ago now, that feels like a story that has clearly spanned 2025 and 2026. So forgive me,

I almost forgot to wish you Happy New Year. I hope everyone is doing well, getting 2026 off to a

great start. This week on full-time, we have a very special guest. NWSL Players Association

executive director, Megan Burke is joining us to unpack this high-impact player role because, yes,

it still needs unpacking. This is an ongoing story. And I just think, given how thick with layer and meaning this moment is in regards

to the rule, how it affects free agency, how it might affect Trinity Rodman's future with the

league, it's helpful to just pause at every step of the way, regroup, re-contextualize, catch

you guys up because I know people have been in and out

with the holidays. Hopefully you're back now for better or worse. I know it's kind of rough that

transition, but we got you. And I'm really, really happy that Megan made some time to speak with

us because there's a lot to sift through here. And I think as this story just continues to unfurl,

it's helpful to understand all of the different facets of this narrative in this conversation

because it feels very in the moment in a lot of ways, but it also is going to determine the future

of this league. So we at full time have been dogged in our coverage of this, making sure that you guys are as informed and updated as possible.

This is not by any means the first episode that we've done on the high impact player rule or free agency.

But if it's the first you're hearing about, don't worry.

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