The Detroit Lions were officially eliminated from postseason contention following a Week 17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The Lions now enter offseason mode facing more major financial decisions, with an ugly 2025 now in their back pocket.

Detroit sits with about $14M of projected cap space against an estimated $304M league cap for 2026, including 38 contracts (though two are set to void at the start of the new league year).

The Lions currently hold 9 draft picks in 2026, including projected compensatory picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds, and two 6th-round picks.

Early Offseason Questions

• Is the gas pedal still all the way down, or was 2025 a reality-check season?
• With a handful more of extension-eligible/needy players, can Detroit continue to retain their own at top of market prices, or will there be roster turnover forthcoming?

Notable Free Agents

(Spotrac Market Valuation APY)

ED Al-Quadin Muhammad ($8.3M)
LB Alex Anzalone ($7.5M)
DL Roy Lopez ($6.3M)
CB Amik Robertson ($4M)
DL D.J. Reader ($3.85M)
WR Kalif Raymond ($3.3M)

VIEW ALL FREE AGENTS

Option Decisions

RB Jahmyr Gibbs

Despite oddly inconsistent usage at times in 2025, Gibbs continues to prove he’s one of the most dynamic weapons in all of football. The Lions won’t blink twice before exercising his 5th-year option for 2027, currently projected to be priced at around $14.2M. The 23-year-old currently projects toward a 3 year, $62M extension in our system.

LB Jack Campbell

Campbell isn’t just improving every year, but he’s quietly becoming one of the best linebackers in all of football this season, filling up the stat board across the gamut. The 25-year-old currently projects toward a top-of-the-market $21M per year extension in our system, which makes his estimated $16M 5th-year option salary for 2027 a veritable no-brainer.

Extension Candidate

(In addition to the two above names)

TE Sam LaPorta

The 2023 2nd-round pick becomes extension-eligible for the first time this winter, and was on pace to approach career high numbers before a Week 10 back injury paused his season. The injury is certainly a red flag to consider as extension discussions begin, but outside of this - the 24-year-old is projecting toward a 3 year, $53M contract in our system.

S Brian Branch

Branch was also on pace for his best overall season to date, before suffering a devastating Achilles tear during a Week 14 game against the Cowboys. Now facing an 8-12 month recovery window, the Lions may pause in adding a substantial extension to the fold this offseason until they see Branch return to full health. The 24-year-old is entering a contract year in 2026, and currently projects toward a 4 year, $80M contract in our system.

Bubble Candidates

OT Taylor Decker

Retirement Candidate

Decker has at least hinted at the idea of 2025 being his final season, and while the 32-year-old has 2 years, $39.2M remaining on his contract, none of it is currently guaranteed. There’s a $1.5M roster bonus due on March 15th, and the deal holds $9.4M of dead cap against a $21.3M cap figure for 2026.

RB David Montgomery

Trade Candidate

The 28-year-old is still a fully capable offensive weapon, but the usage is down across the board in 2025 (especially as it pertains to the passing game), which leaves a small crack in the door open for the Lions to be turning their focus elsewhere going forward. None of the $15M owed over the next two seasons is currently guaranteed, and there’s $4.8M of dead cap against an $8.3M figure for 2026.

TE Brock Wright

Release Candidate

A very serviceable blocking/complementary Tight End, Wright suffered a trachea injury in November that ended his 2025 campaign. With a non-guaranteed $3.7M owed in 2026, Detroit may opt for a bit of cap savings this coming March ($947k).

CB Terrion Arnold

Trade Candidate

A rough 2024 season followed up by a Week 5 season-ending shoulder injury for 2025 puts the future of Arnold in a bit of doubt. With question marks all across Detroit’s secondary this offseason, the former 1st-round pick could be quietly shopped in the coming months. With 2 years, $4.85M (guaranteed) remaining plus a potential 5th-year option for 2028, there may be a team or two looking to offer a change of scenery.

Potential Cap Conversions

QB Jared Goff’s cap number rises to $69.6M next season. A simple salary conversion (plus two void years) can open up a much needed $42.9M of space.

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 2026 salary is already fully guaranteed. Converting it to bonus (plus two void years) frees up $21.5M.

DL Alim McNeill’s knee issues may have the Lions weary of moving money around too much (in order to preserve a cleaner out potential after 2026), but there’s over $18M of cap space to open up here if needed.

OT Penei Sewell’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. A simple salary conversion can free up nearly $15M of space.

CB D.J. Reed’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. A simple salary conversion can free up over $11M.

RELATED LINKS
2026 Lions Salary Cap Table
Lions 2026 Free Agents
Spotrac’s NFL Offseason Guide

After six weeks of discussion in the news around Trinity Rodman's contract negotiations and the NWSL's ability to compete with global salary offerings, the NWSL has announced the creation of a new player compensation mechanism designed to provide clubs with expanded flexibility to attract and retain high impact players.

Under the new rule, starting July 1st 2026, teams can utilize up to an additional $1,000,000 over the salary cap for high impact players. The amount will grow year-over-year at the same rate as the salary cap. High Impact Players can be signed immediately, as long as the contract terms do not require the use of the additional funding until July 1st. For any contract utilizing this provision, the cap charge of the high-impact player must be a minimum of 12% of the base salary cap.

Players must meet one of the following commercial or sporting criteria to be considered a high impact player: 

• Player is on SportsPro Media Top 150 Most Marketable Athletes within the one (1) year prior to the current league season; or,

• Player is selected in the Top 30 in Ballon d’Or voting in the two (2) years prior to the current league season; or

• Player is selected in the Top 40 of the Guardian Top 100 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior; or

• Player is selected in the Top 40 of ESPN FC Top 50 football players in the world in the two (2) years prior; or

• Top 11 minutes played for the USWNT in the prior two (2) calendar years for field players for all competition types; or

• Top one (1) minutes played for USWNT in the prior two (2) calendar years for goalkeepers for all competition types; or

• Player selected as NWSL MVP Finalist within previous the two (2) league seasons; or

• Player selected to the End of Year NWSL Best XI First Team within the previous two (2) league seasons.

Slot values for the 2026 MLB Draft will not be confirmed until midseason but these are the estimated team signing bonus pools based on figures from 2025.

Draft Trades
Competitive Balance Round A (#33) - $2.9M estimated slot value
Tampa Bay Rays acquired from Baltimore Orioles (Shane Baz)

Penalties For Signing Qualified Free Agent
Competitive Balance Tax payors forfeit their 2nd and 5th highest draft selection - $1.6M total estimated slot value:
Toronto Blue Jays - Dylan Cease
Los Angeles Dodgers - Edwin Diaz

Compensation For Losing a Qualified Free Agent
Competitive Balance Tax payors receive compensation draft pick after the 4th round - $530k estimated slot value:
San Diego Padres (#138) - Dylan Cease
New York Mets (#137) - Edwin Diaz

Unsigned: Kyle Tucker, Bo Bichette, Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen, Ranger Suarez

1 - Tampa Bay Rays:  $19,590,500
2 - Pittsburgh Pirates:  $18,592,800
3 - Chicago White Sox:  $17,090,000
4 - Minnesota Twins:  $16,410,400
5 - Kansas City Royals:  $15,505,000
6 - Atlanta Braves:  $15,415,700
7 - Colorado Rockies:  $15,103,600
8 - St. Louis Cardinals:  $13,741,900
9 - San Francisco Giants:  $13,674,500
10 - Athletics:  $13,399,500
11 - Arizona Diamondbacks:  $13,206,700
12 - Baltimore Orioles:  $12,725,600
13 - Houston Astros:  $12,723,600
14 - Cleveland Guardians:  $12,164,300
15 - Washington Nationals:  $11,905,300
16 - Miami Marlins:  $11,567,300
17 - Los Angeles Angels:  $11,400,500
18 - Cincinnati Reds:  $10,354,000
19 - Texas Rangers:  $9,906,000
20 - Detroit Tigers:  $9,534,800
21 - San Diego Padres:  $9,103,700
22 - Seattle Mariners:  $9,086,300
23 - Milwaukee Brewers:  $8,944,300
24 - Boston Red Sox:  $8,780,300
25 - New York Mets:  $8,676,900
26 - Chicago Cubs:  $8,181,300
27 - New York Yankees:  $7,034,400
28 - Philadelphia Phillies:  $6,916,700
29 - Toronto Blue Jays:  $4,946,500
30 - Los Angeles Dodgers:  $4,862,600

The Boston Red Sox made another offseason splash, acquiring 1B Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for RHP Hunter Dobbins, RHP Yhoiker Fajardo, & RHP Blake Aita.

Contreras posted one of his best overall seasons in 2025, compiling 31 doubles, 20 homers, & 80 RBIs in 135 games for St. Louis, and now figures to slot into the heart of a young and talented Boston lineup.

Contractually, the Red Sox made a few alterations to Contreras’ contract per the move.

Before the Trade
2026: $18M
2027: $18.5M
2028: $17.5M club option ($5M buyout)
This represented a $41.5M cash guarantee.

After the Trade
2026: $18M
2027: $17M
2028: $20M club option ($7.5M buyout)
Now a $42.5M guarantee, with $1M added as a “trade bonus”.

St. Louis also agreed to retain $8M of salary per the trade, $4M in each of 2026 and 2027. This puts the Red Sox on the hook for $34.5M guaranteed over the next two seasons, representing a $17.25M luxury tax salary.

With Contreras now in the fold Boston’s projected Opening Day CBT payroll rises to nearly $235M, 8th in MLB and about $9M under the first threshold.

For St. Louis, this represents the second big player moved this offseason, with SP Sonny Gray moved to Boston nearly a month ago. It is widely expected that the Cardinals continue to pursue offseason trades for 3B Nolan Arenado (2 yrs, $37M) and UTIL Brendan Donovan (arbitration control through 2027). St. Louis is in a salary-purge window, looking to acquire as much as, cost-controlled talent as possible to replenish the system for a quick and successful rebuild.

At present, the Cardinals are projected to hold a $126M CBT payroll, 21st in MLB.

RELATED
2026 MLB Tax Payrolls
MLB Trade Tracker

The Dallas Cowboys were officially eliminated from postseason contention following Week 16, staring down a 2026 offseason full of more than a few big decisions.

The Cowboys currently have $362.8M (a league high) allocated to their 2026 salary cap table. This leaves Dallas about $36M over a projected $304M salary cap threshold (when factoring in rollover space from the 2025 season) - a league low.

An aggressive trade deadline leaves Dallas with 8 draft picks for 2026 (two 1sts, one 4th, three 5ths, two 7th).

Early Offseason Questions

• How will Dallas handle a now crowded Defensive Line this offseason?
• Will WR George Pickens be allowed to walk or is a franchise tag/extension in the works?
• How will the Cowboys utilize their two 1st round picks for the upcoming draft?

Notable Free Agents

K Brandon Aubrey (RFA, $6.3M)
WR George Pickens ($30.5M)
ED Dante Fowler Jr. ($5.2M)
RB Javonte Williams ($7.2M)
S Donovan Wilson ($7M)
ED Jadeveon Clowney ($5.3M)
LB Kenneth Murray ($5M)

VIEW ALL FREE AGENTS

Extension Candidate

K Brandon Aubrey has done more than enough to warrant a multi-year guarantee extension as he approaches restricted free agency this March. The right of first refusal tender is expected to come in at around $3.5M next season, but Aubrey currently carries a market valuation north of $6M. Harrison Butker’s 4 year, $25.6M ($6.4M APY) contract is the current high bar.

Bubble Candidates

CB Trevon Diggs

Release Candidate

The 28-year-old has missed significant time due to injury in each of the past three seasons, earning $42.5M over that span. With the guaranteed portion of his deal now expired, Dallas can move on this March at just $5.8M of dead cap, freeing up $12.5M of space.

LB Logan Wilson

Release Candidate

Wilson was acquired from Cincinnati at the deadline for a 7th round pick, hoping to offer a shot in the arm to a position that was vulnerable through much of 2025. While the 2 years, $13.7M remaining on the contract isn’t terribly daunting, Dallas likely opts for the early March cap space and attempts to rebuild the off-ball linebacker position from the ground up this spring. Releasing Wilson frees up $6.5M of space.

DL Kenny Clark

Trade/Release Candidate

Acquired from Green Bay as part of the Micah Parsons trade, Clark will hold 2 years, $41.5M remaining on his contract after this season. But with Quinnen Williams now in the fold, and Osa Odighizuwa under contract through 2028, Clark may be on the outside looking in going forward. Dallas can free up all $21.5M of his salary in 2026 with a trade or outright release (before an $11M roster bonus is due March 13th).

DL Solomon Thomas

Release Candidate

The 30-year-old is due a non-guaranteed $2.5M in 2026, but Dallas can free up that cap space with an early March release.

Potential Cap Conversions

QB Dak Prescott holds a $74M cap figure for 2026 right now. A full salary conversion can open up nearly $31M of cap space.

WR CeeDee Lamb’s 2026 salary is fully guaranteed. Converting that to bonus can free up $20M of room for Dallas.

G Tyler Smith’s 2026 salary is already fully guaranteed. A full salary conversion on it can open up $18.6M of cap space.

A simple salary conversion on Osa Odighizuwa’s fully guaranteed 2026 salary can open up $12.5M.

Converting S DaRon Bland’s 2026 salary to bonus can free up $9.6M of cap space.

DL Quinnen Williams holds a $21.75M cap hit in 2026 but could be considered for a contract extension that would reduce that figure.

RELATED LINKS
2026 Cowboys Salary Cap Table
Cowboys 2026 Free Agents
Spotrac Offseason Guides

The first of many important dates ahead of the 2026 Major League Soccer season has officially been completed.

On Thursday, December 18th, the 2026 MLS SuperDraft took place. 

The 26th edition of the MLS SuperDraft, took place in December for the fourth consecutive year.

The MLS SuperDraft is a draft that consists of Major League Soccer clubs selecting amateur soccer players that are not affiliated with an MLS club, or college soccer players that had their homegrown player rights relinquished by their parent MLS clubs.

Taking a look at the format, historically, the MLS SuperDraft closely resembles that of the NFL Draft. Any expansion team would receive the first overall pick (there were no expansion teams this season, so the team that finished in last place received the first pick). Non-playoff clubs then receive the next picks in reverse order of last season's finish. Teams that made the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs were then ordered by which round of the playoffs they were eliminated in & the winners of 2025 MLS Cup were given the last selection and the losers, the penultimate selection.

Selection Breakdown

During the 2026 MLS SuperDraft, teams selected 90 players from 50 college soccer teams and other club avenues.

The 2025 NCAA National Champions, the University of Washington, led the way with five players selected. A total of four colleges, (University of Maryland, North Carolina State, Princeton University, & Clemson University) followed right-behind with four players selected from their schools.

A total of four players signed Generation Adidas contracts prior to the 2026 MLS SuperDraft. Generation Adidas is a joint-venture between MLS & US Soccer that is aimed at raising the level of young professional talent in the United States. The program offers professional-ready players in the US Development system not yet eligible for the MLS SuperDraft early entry. Additionally, Generation Adidas players DO NOT count against the MLS senior roster and usually earn a much higher salary than the league minimum. 

The four GA players selected were #1 overall to D.C. United, Nikola Markovic (DEF - NC State), #2 overall to FC Dallas, Ricky Louis (FWD - Georgia Southern), #3 overall to FC Dallas, Nicholas Simmonds (FWD - Virginia), & #4 overall to Sporting Kansas City, Kwaku Agyabeng (MID - Clemson).

A total of 7/12 of the 2025 UnitedSoccerCoaches NCAA Division I Men’s All-America First Team selections were drafted in the SuperDraft:

DEF - Nikola Markovic - NC State University (1st overall to D.C. United)

FWD - Nick Simmonds - University of Virginia (3rd Overall to FC Dallas)

MID - Richie Aman - University of Washington (8th overall to D.C. United)

GK - Niklas Herceg - University of Vermont (16th overall to FC Dallas)

MID - Ransford Gyan - Clemson University (27th overall to New York City FC)

DEF - Agustin Resch - Seton Hall (69th overall to Houston Dynamo FC)

DEF - Lasse Kelp - University of Maryland (85th overall to D.C. United)

Ransford Gyan (FWD - Clemson), one of the All-Americans, who was a notable late first round selection, was the 2023 and 2024 recipient of the Gatorade High School Soccer Player of the Year Award.

A total of 3 players that have represented the United States Youth National Team were also selected during the draft. They include Kenan Hot (MID - Duke University) - selected 32nd overall by Inter Miami CF, Tarun Karumanchi (MID - UCLA) - selected 49th overall by Columbus Crew, & Austin Brummett (FWD - University of Connecticut) - selected 78th overall by Houston Dynamo FC.

The final pick of the 2026 MLS SuperDraft was forward Maximilian Kissel (University of Vermont). Kissel, selected by Inter Miami CF, comes with a winning pedigree. He is a two-time champion (won 2024 NCAA National Championship with Vermont & won 2025 USL League Two with Vermont Green FC). Kissel scored the game-winning goal in the 95th minute of the 2024 final & the game-winning goal in the 91st minute of the 2025 final. 

Recapping for MLS teams

A total of 33 trades were made that involved the exchange of picks that affected the 2026 MLS SuperDraft.

Three teams made 6 selections: Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, & Real Salt Lake

Four teams made 5 selections: D.C. United, Houston Dynamo FC, Inter Miami CF, Orlando City SC

Four teams made 4 selections: Minnesota United FC, New York City FC, Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Five teams made 3 selections: Charlotte FC, Los Angeles Galaxy, Portland Timbers, San Diego FC, St. Louis City SC

Eight teams made 2 selections: Atlanta United FC, Austin FC, CF Montréal, Columbus Crew SC, Los Angeles FC, Nashville SC, New England Revolution, Seattle Sounders FC, 

Five teams made 1 selections: Chicago Fire FC, FC Cincinnati, Red Bull New York, San Jose Earthquakes, Toronto FC

One team DID NOT make a selection during the draft: Philadelphia Union

Recap For Players Signed & the Positions Drafted

As of December 22nd, 2025, a total of 6 players have officially signed deals with the MLS clubs that have selected them (Markovic with D.C. United, Louis with FC Dallas, Simmonds with FC Dallas, Agyabeng with Sporting Kansas City, Mamadou Billo Dioup with Colorado Rapids, & Richie Aman with D.C. United).

In an overall recap of the draft, a total of 90 players were selected. 

Goalkeepers: 8 players

Defenders: 30 players

Midfielders: 28 players

Forwards: 24 players

Draft picks

The Dallas Wings finished 2025 with a 10-34 record and in 13th place. The good news for the Wings is that their abysmal record gave them the best odds to receive the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, odds which came to fruition on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the draft lottery.

In addition to the first pick in the upcoming draft, Dallas only has their own third-round pick, No. 31 overall. Their second-round pick was sent to Seattle in the Li Yueru trade.

Under contract

Dallas has several young players under contract already that they can build around or rely on as quality depth. Last year’s No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers is the clear centerpiece of the team. Bueckers averaged 19.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game on her way to being named Rookie of the Year. 

Picked up later in the same draft but similarly entering the second year on their unprotected rookie-scale contracts are guards Aziaha James and JJ Quinerly. James’ minutes fluctuated throughout the season, but she still showed promise with a 28-point season-high performance and average of 7.5 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. Quinerly, before her injury, was one of the WNBA’s top-performing third-round picks in terms of efficiency and production. The point guard appeared in 34 games, averaging 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, while shooting 42.6% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range.

Additionally, Diamond Miller and Maddy Siegrist are each in the fourth and final year of their rookie-scale contract, and thus have protected deals for $94,740 each. Miller joined the Wings in August via trade with the Minnesota Lynx and embraced the chance for a fresh start. The former No. 2 overall pick saw her playing time increase in 15 games for Dallas, but not her statistical productivity.

Extension Candidate

Siegrist only appeared in 26 games in 2025 because of injury, but averaged 12.7 points per game on 49.1% shooting from the floor. When healthy, Villanova’s all-time leading scorer has shown her ability to be a key contributor and improve every season so far despite injuries. Dallas could lock Siegrist in as far as through the 2029 season (according to the expiring CBA), ideally at a reasonable price.

Contracts

1. Paige Bueckers - $80,408
2. Aziaha James - $73,905
3. JJ Quinerly - $67,401
4. Diamond Miller - $94,740 - PROTECTED
5. Maddy Siegrest - $94,740 - PROTECTED

Value of all protected contracts: $189,480
Value of all contracts: $411,194

Unrestricted free agents

Because of their relatively young core, Dallas doesn’t have as many free agents as most other teams. Only Arike Ogunbowale, Myisha Hines-Allen and Tyasha Harris are true unrestricted free agents. Hines-Allen joined Dallas in the previous offseason via free agency, while Harris arrived in a four-team trade and then missed much of the season with injury. 

Free Agent Spotlight

Ogunbowale has been Dallas’ centerpiece since she was selected No. 5 overall in the 2019 Draft by the Wings. However, Bueckers has rightfully taken over that distinction. 

Bueckers and Ogunbowale didn’t show much promise as a synergistic pairing. The volume shooting guard had the least efficient season of her career in 2025, shooting 40.2% from two and 30.4% from three. She also averaged her lowest points per game at 15.5. But Ogunbowale can be a source of veteran stability. Does Dallas maintain some continuity and hope the pair meshes better, or move on?

Dallas will first have to decide whether or not it will protect Ogunbowale in the expansion draft. If she is protected or not picked up, free agency awaits. The Notre Dame guard’s last contract was an extension that guaranteed her the supermax salary each of the last three seasons.

Reserved free agents

Dallas also has four reserved free agents: Luisa Geiselsöder, Li Yueru, Haley Jones and Grace Berger. Reserved free agents (under the expiring CBA) are players whose contract expired but have three years of service or fewer in the WNBA. If they are sent a reserved qualifying offer within the designated period (last year, Jan. 11 - 20), then the team reserves exclusive negotiating rights with that player. Otherwise, they will become full unrestricted free agents. These qualifying offers are non-guaranteed money that teams can cut at a later date.

Geiselsöder and Yueru were impactful additions to the front court before each suffered an injury that ruled them out for the rest of the season. Geiselsöder appeared in 28 games before a shoulder injury, and Yueru only made it 22 before an ACL sprain in her left knee. Berger and Jones were brought in as injuries mounted and particularly decimated Dallas’ options at point guard. 

Analysis

This combination of contracts gives Dallas a good amount of cap space and roster flexibility to work with in the offseason, even without currently knowing what the salary cap and new salary structures will be. 

This is good news for a Dallas team that was very bad in 2025. They were 11th in defensive rating and 10th in offensive rating according to Basketball Reference. The Wings struggled with endless injuries and roster moves that constantly changed up the rotation and roster, but that doesn’t explain all of their issues. First-year head coach Chris Koclanes seemed out of his depth and was replaced shortly after the season concluded. 

Curt Miller enters his second season as Dallas general manager in what was likely always expected to be a long-term project. He will work with Dallas’ third head coach in as many seasons, new hire Jose Fernandez. Fernandez spent 25 years at the University of South Florida, making the NCAA Tournament 10 times. His international recruiting acumen was a significant part of his success, as well as his reputation for offense.

Multiple championship teams have been built off of back-to-back No.1 picks, most recently the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm. The Wings could look to replicate this, like the Indiana Fever are trying to do after picking Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark in consecutive drafts. The draft and the team’s exciting young core are important for Dallas, but they’ll also likely want to mix in some veteran talent. The combination of roster and cap flexibility means the potential for success in Dallas is high after several disappointing seasons.

Note: This will be updated accordingly with salary cap details and any relevant definitional changes when a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is signed.

The 55-day 2025 NWSL Secondary Window went from July 1st to August 25th this year. It consisted of 32 players joining the NWSL, and 4 players were traded within clubs. Even with the increase of length in the 2025 secondary window compared to 2024, there was generally a decline in the number of transactions. 

It is extraordinarily hard to join a club midseason and immediately make an impact without the connection building that comes from a two month preseason. Here’s the moves with the most impact on the back-half of the season:

Dudinha - Forward - San Diego Wave

Contract: Thru 2027

Midway through the Secondary Window, the Wave announced the signing of the Brazilian forward from São Paulo FC for an undisclosed transfer fee. In the back half of the season, Dudinha played in 11 matches (743 minutes) for San Diego, scoring five goals which ties her for the team’s top goalscorer but with one-third and one-quarter of the minutes with the other two Wave players with five. In the regular season, she led the league in shots on target percentage (69.2%) and Goals/Shot ratio (0.38)

Adrián González - Head Coach - Washington Spirit

As an assistant coach, he was promoted to head coach effective July 18th following the announcement that Jonatan Giráldez would transition to become the head coach of OL Lyonnes. González originally joined the Spirit in preseason ahead of the 2024 season as the Interim head coach until Giráldez’s Liga F season with Barcelona came to a close in June and he’d transition into the head coach role for the Spirit, with González returning to assistant coach. In the 16 remaining regular season matches, the Spirit only lost 3 times (and 2 of those were after the Spirit clinched 2nd in the table).

Lizbeth Ovalle - Forward - Orlando Pride

Contract: Thru 2027 with a 2028 mutual option

Only five days after Orlando striker and leading scorer Barbra Banda suffered a full thickness avulsion of her right adductor, the Pride announced the acquisition and extension of Ovalle from Tigres UANL Femenil for a (then) world record fee. The winger played in 839 minutes across 10 matches for the Pride, and scored one goal and assisted an additional two. She also held an 84% passing accuracy and found players in the box on 14 crosses. 

Katie Stengel - Forward - Gotham FC

Contract: Thru Feb 2026

Gotham acquired the forward from English club Crystal Palace for an undisclosed transfer during the Secondary Window. The signing marked Stengel’s second stint with the club since 2023 where she originally joined on a loan that became a permanent transfer and she had the stoppage-time game winning goal against Portland to send Gotham to the 2023 Championship match (that they would also end up winning). Stengel played in 552 minutes across 13 matches for Gotham with two goals and one assist. Her big impact moment was her 120+1 minute quarterfinal goal to upset NWSL Shield winning Kansas City and send Gotham to the semifinals.

Laurina Fazer - Midfielder - San Diego Wave

Contract: Thru 2027

Just five days after announcing the signing of Dudinha, the Wave announced the addition of the French midfielder to their squad following her five seasons at Paris Saint-Germain. Fazer played in 621 minutes across 10 matches for San Diego, with an 88% passing accuracy and 78% tackle accuracy. She also had 10 shot creating actions averaging 1.8 per 90 minutes. 

The WNBA and its players’ union continue to negotiate a new Collective Bargaining Agreement to replace the current one, set to expire on Jan. 9, 2026. Revenue sharing remains a key issue keeping the sides from resolution as they disagree on how much of the league’s total revenue should be shared with the players, according to reports by The Athletic. Reflecting the divide, the WNBPA announced Thursday that its members voted overwhelmingly to authorize the union’s executive committee to call a strike "when necessary” as “an unavoidable response to the state of negotiations with the WNBA and its teams.”

The WNBA responded to the authorization with an acknowledgement of the union’s right to strike while saying they “strongly disagree with the WNBPA’s characterization of the current state of negotiations, which fundamentally misrepresents the ongoing discussions taking place at the bargaining table.” As a result of the vote, the decision on whether to strike is now in the hands of the seven players who make up the WNBPA executive committee: Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Alysha Clark, Elizabeth Williams and Brianna Turner.

We previously broke down some of the debate about roster sizes, league schedule, parental leave, minimum standards and retirement benefits. The Athletic reports that these topics continue to be discussed as such. 

The WNBPA has proposed mandating teams to carry 12 players at all times, rather than the current maximum of 12 and minimum of 11. It is also proposing up to two additional developmental spots for each roster. Developmental players would receive a stipend, full benefits, and could appear in up to 10 games per season at a prorated minimum league salary, before signing a rest-of-season contract. The WNBPA is also proposing salary exceptions, some of which could soften the salary cap system based on performance.

The number of games continues to be debated after each team played 44 games last season, the most in league history. Acknowledging continued expansion, the union has proposed 48 games until the league has 18 teams, when it would increase to 50. The league is proposing more.

The league and players’ union agree on including a policy providing paid parental leave for non-birthing parents. However, the last league proposal was for one week of paid parental leave, while the union is proposing four weeks.

As the union pushes for requiring teams to hire more non-coaching staff like physical therapists, athletic trainers and team physicians to raise minimum professional standards, they have also proposed that teams have two full-time security employees.

In terms of retirement benefits, a one-time payment for former players with a certain number of years of service has been discussed. The union is proposing that the league provide up to $1,500 reimbursement annually for various physical exams for players who competed for at least four years in the WNBA and aren’t currently covered by health insurance.

Additionally, the league and union are reportedly discussing mandatory wearable technology to track performance during games and reimbursement for out-of-network mental health services.

RP Edwin Diaz spurned offers from the Braves and Mets in agreeing to a 3 year, $69 million free agent contract to join the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The deal included a $9M signing bonus, with $18.5M of cash allocated to each of the next 3 seasons. Of that, $4.5M annually ($13.5M total) is deferred from 2036-2047.

2026: $9M salary, $9M signing bonus ($4.5M deferred at $450k each July 1, 2036-2045)
2027: $18.5M salary ($4.5M deferred at $450k each July 1, 2037-2046)
2028: $18.5M salary ($4.5M deferred at $450k each July 1, 2038-2047)

The Dodgers also built in a conditional club option for 2029 if he suffers a specific (undisclosed) injury in 2028 that carries into the 2029 offseason. That option is currently priced at $6.5M (with no buyout) and contains an additional $2.5M of incentives if exercised.

For Diaz, it’s another top of the market reset for the 31-year-old, who opted-out of the final three years of a 5 year, $102 million contract with the Mets this past November. The contract came with $26.5M (25%) deferred, and a $12M signing bonus. Per multiple reports, Diaz was interested in reducing the deferral rate of this most recent contract, which ultimately led to the Dodgers (ironically) winning the bidding war (19.5% deferred).

From an average annual standpoint, Diaz’ $23M figure is the highest in MLB reliever history, surpassing his own previous mark of $20.4M. With the deferred compensation accounted for, Diaz’ CBT figure is reduced to $21.1M over the next three seasons, which represents the 7th highest tax hit on the Dodgers currently.

Diaz now joins Tanner Scott, who signed a 4 year, $72M contract last winter to combine for one of the best back of the bullpen combos in all of baseball.