United States women’s national team striker Mallory Swanson and the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) agreed to terms on a contract that will make Swanson the highest-paid NWSL player ever.
The contract is reportedly worth $2 million and includes a fifth-year option. It is an NWSL record for both longest contract and most lucrative, surpassing Trinity Rodman’s four-year contract with the Washington Spirit and María Sánchez’s $1.5 million deal with the Houston Dash.
Swanson (née Pugh) joined the Red Stars in late 2020 in a trade with Sky Blue FC (the club rebranded to NJ/NY Gotham FC in 2021). She has appeared in 52 games for the Red Stars in the three seasons since, scoring 22 goals in those appearances.
After a strong start in international appearances in 2023 (seven goals in six appearances), the star forward tore her patellar tendon during a friendly against Ireland in April. She missed the remainder of the 2023 NWSL season.
Swanson’s massive deal with the Red Stars comes on the heels of the news that the NWSL raised the league salary cap to $2.75 million for the coming season. In November, the league announced a four-year media rights deal with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports beginning in 2024.
The 2024 NWSL regular season begins Saturday, March 16.
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