Ian Fleming
@ianmfleming.bsky.social
FIFA-Licensed Agent | Sporting Director | Juris Doctor
Generally-managed a pro soccer team once upon a time
Generally-managed a pro soccer team once upon a time
If you had asked me to come up with the most convoluted way to institute this rule, I would not have been able to come up with something as diabolical as this
Full release from the #NWSL, including all the criteria to be a "High Impact Player" (must meet one of these points).
www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-in...
www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-in...
December 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
If you had asked me to come up with the most convoluted way to institute this rule, I would not have been able to come up with something as diabolical as this
For those who aren't aware, these CSO meetings are structured to go through a list of relevant topics, usually determined by the league, and quickly devolve into the same several people arguing loudly on each side of board for their particular competing interests.
I still shouldn't say who this was, but in the year 2021, NWSL chief soccer officers were discussing whether or not it made sense to institute a rule change to enable the league to make Macario a competitive offer. One CSO argued that she was just a college player who hadn't proved anything.
#USWNT forward Cat Macario is drawing interest from several #NWSL teams, sources tell ESPN. She's out of contract this summer. The NWSL's potential rule change for star players could play a role in how competitive NWSL teams will be.
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
www.espn.com/soccer/story...
December 23, 2025 at 9:48 AM
For those who aren't aware, these CSO meetings are structured to go through a list of relevant topics, usually determined by the league, and quickly devolve into the same several people arguing loudly on each side of board for their particular competing interests.
Well of course, Spain and England were in the final of a major European tournament!
*furiously checks notes on who won the Olympics last year and how many players that nation had on this list for 2024*
*furiously checks notes on who won the Olympics last year and how many players that nation had on this list for 2024*
Seven Spanish players and four from England have been named in FIFA's best women's XI after contesting the Women's Euro 2025 final, two years after the 2023 Women's World Cup final.
December 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Well of course, Spain and England were in the final of a major European tournament!
*furiously checks notes on who won the Olympics last year and how many players that nation had on this list for 2024*
*furiously checks notes on who won the Olympics last year and how many players that nation had on this list for 2024*
Now we're getting somewhere. I don't think eligibility should be structured like this, but the general mechanism is a mostly sensible way to allow for large contracts that can't break the rest of the roster.
SOURCES: The #NWSL board has voted to approve a new star player fund—internally called "High Impact Player"—to allow teams to spend up to $1M over the cap with a much smaller cap hit for players who meet criteria.
Crucially: A change affecting the cap requires NWSLPA consultation. On @espn.com:
Crucially: A change affecting the cap requires NWSLPA consultation. On @espn.com:
Sources: NWSL 'star' salaries tied to player profile
The NWSL's Board of Governors has approved a new roster mechanism to pay select star players above and beyond the current salary cap, multiple sources confirmed to ESPN.
www.espn.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Now we're getting somewhere. I don't think eligibility should be structured like this, but the general mechanism is a mostly sensible way to allow for large contracts that can't break the rest of the roster.
I don't have any inside info here, but if we're looking for a functional reason why the league would take issue with a backloaded contract, the safe bet would be on the salary being high enough that, based on the CBA minimums for '28/'29, there wouldn't be enough money left to field a full roster.
NEW: The Spirit came up with a multi-million dollar offer to keep Trinity Rodman in the league, which she was ready to accept. It was vetoed by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, according to sources.
Where's it leave negotiations? Great question. www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
Where's it leave negotiations? Great question. www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...
NWSL commissioner rejects Spirit’s offer to keep Trinity Rodman in the league
According to sources, the NWSL Players Association has filed a grievance on Rodman’s behalf with the league.
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:44 AM
I don't have any inside info here, but if we're looking for a functional reason why the league would take issue with a backloaded contract, the safe bet would be on the salary being high enough that, based on the CBA minimums for '28/'29, there wouldn't be enough money left to field a full roster.
Atlanta has long been a hub for high-level youth soccer in the southeast, which translated incredibly into strong support for men's pro soccer. I see no reason why, with the right investment, it shouldn't immediately become a premier club in the NWSL in both sporting and commercial capabilities.
NWSL to Atlanta is such a massive opportunity for the league, particularly if the new club can connect with Atlanta's culture the way Atlanta United did
November 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Atlanta has long been a hub for high-level youth soccer in the southeast, which translated incredibly into strong support for men's pro soccer. I see no reason why, with the right investment, it shouldn't immediately become a premier club in the NWSL in both sporting and commercial capabilities.
Unless Kouassi, Monday, and Santos were on minutes restrictions (unlikely given when they were subbed), it was a Decision to pull all three of them from the game
November 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Unless Kouassi, Monday, and Santos were on minutes restrictions (unlikely given when they were subbed), it was a Decision to pull all three of them from the game
I don't pat myself on the back often but $75k and a 2nd-round pick was good, clean business
Marta's no look pass helps set Haley McCutcheon up! Watch this precise finish from close in!
Orlando leads the NWSL Quarterfinal against Seattle on Amazon Prime 👀
Orlando leads the NWSL Quarterfinal against Seattle on Amazon Prime 👀
November 8, 2025 at 11:06 AM
I don't pat myself on the back often but $75k and a 2nd-round pick was good, clean business
I think maybe it's a good idea to have an understanding of how large language models work before we ask them to solve problems that they aren't designed for. But that's just me.
October 30, 2025 at 8:13 PM
I think maybe it's a good idea to have an understanding of how large language models work before we ask them to solve problems that they aren't designed for. But that's just me.
Eddy's op-ed is a rallying cry against a problem that doesn't exist, blatantly exclusionary, and a thinly-veiled show of hatred toward people who already endure enough of it for simply trying to be who they are and live their best lives.
We don't need this in our league, our sport, nor our society.
We don't need this in our league, our sport, nor our society.
The NWSL's silence on its gender eligibility approach has invited harassment of players — and now, an op-ed from a current player calling for "a clear standard" to address a problem that doesn't exist.
Statements from NWSL, NWSLPA & thoughts from me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Statements from NWSL, NWSLPA & thoughts from me @theathletic.com
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
NWSL’s lack of gender eligibility policy leaves players vulnerable – just not in the way you think
An op-ed from Angel City midfielder Elizabeth Eddy called for "a clear standard" to address a problem that doesn't currently exist.
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Eddy's op-ed is a rallying cry against a problem that doesn't exist, blatantly exclusionary, and a thinly-veiled show of hatred toward people who already endure enough of it for simply trying to be who they are and live their best lives.
We don't need this in our league, our sport, nor our society.
We don't need this in our league, our sport, nor our society.
Officially setting the NWSL playoff line over/under at 34.5
October 8, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Officially setting the NWSL playoff line over/under at 34.5
I also recall seeing a post a while back On Here that essentially said that there was now finally a nerd boss in a GM position in the NWSL and I find that to be just deeply, deeply disrespectful lol
September 15, 2025 at 8:59 PM
I also recall seeing a post a while back On Here that essentially said that there was now finally a nerd boss in a GM position in the NWSL and I find that to be just deeply, deeply disrespectful lol
What I mean by this is that in 10,000 sims, Chicago and Utah don't find a way into the playoffs.
In 100,000 sims, Utah makes it in 14 times and Chicago 12! Terribly unlikely, but not impossible!
In 100,000 sims, Utah makes it in 14 times and Chicago 12! Terribly unlikely, but not impossible!
Transfer windows are mostly closed now and it's time for a long overdue update on my NWSL season simulations. We're (I'm) increasing from 10,000 to 100,000 sims to give more opportunities for very unlikely mathematical outcomes to nibble their way into existence.
September 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
What I mean by this is that in 10,000 sims, Chicago and Utah don't find a way into the playoffs.
In 100,000 sims, Utah makes it in 14 times and Chicago 12! Terribly unlikely, but not impossible!
In 100,000 sims, Utah makes it in 14 times and Chicago 12! Terribly unlikely, but not impossible!
Transfer windows are mostly closed now and it's time for a long overdue update on my NWSL season simulations. We're (I'm) increasing from 10,000 to 100,000 sims to give more opportunities for very unlikely mathematical outcomes to nibble their way into existence.
September 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Transfer windows are mostly closed now and it's time for a long overdue update on my NWSL season simulations. We're (I'm) increasing from 10,000 to 100,000 sims to give more opportunities for very unlikely mathematical outcomes to nibble their way into existence.
Here's the silly thing about the NWSL's transfer fee threshold system that forces an otherwise irrational move:
Unless they have a trade lined-up with another NWSL club to replace her, It would be best to take $0 this calendar year and completely defer the payments, possibly over multiple years.
Unless they have a trade lined-up with another NWSL club to replace her, It would be best to take $0 this calendar year and completely defer the payments, possibly over multiple years.
Exclusive: Chelsea have made a formal approach to Angel City regarding the United States winger Alyssa Thompson, @sport.theguardian.com understands. No fee agreed yet. The WSL transfer window closes in one week. More here... #BarclaysWSL #ChelseaFCW #NWSL www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Chelsea hoping to sign Angel City’s 20-year-old USA winger Alyssa Thompson
Women’s Super League champions want to add a top-class winger to their team before they start their title defence
www.theguardian.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Here's the silly thing about the NWSL's transfer fee threshold system that forces an otherwise irrational move:
Unless they have a trade lined-up with another NWSL club to replace her, It would be best to take $0 this calendar year and completely defer the payments, possibly over multiple years.
Unless they have a trade lined-up with another NWSL club to replace her, It would be best to take $0 this calendar year and completely defer the payments, possibly over multiple years.
Been a very long time since I've been able to make these with new data 🙂
July 31, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Been a very long time since I've been able to make these with new data 🙂
Reading the quotes out of Chicago today and I suppose it's good that there's some prioritization there on the use of data. There is, though, a rather significant difference between liking the pretty numbers and charts and actually interpreting and applying the information.
May 1, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Reading the quotes out of Chicago today and I suppose it's good that there's some prioritization there on the use of data. There is, though, a rather significant difference between liking the pretty numbers and charts and actually interpreting and applying the information.
So the College Cup is set, with the semifinals this Friday and the championship game next Monday.
(1) Duke vs. (2) North Carolina
(2) Wake Forest vs. (3) Stanford
Today, I'm sharing 5-year trends in each team's isolated scoring and defending strengths.
(1) Duke vs. (2) North Carolina
(2) Wake Forest vs. (3) Stanford
Today, I'm sharing 5-year trends in each team's isolated scoring and defending strengths.
Quick viz thread on the quarterfinal matchups in NCAA DI Women's Soccer
Quick reminder: the rankings here are an attempt at isolating some measure of true strength with regard to scoring and defending against goals through linear regression, accounting for venue and opponents.
Quick reminder: the rankings here are an attempt at isolating some measure of true strength with regard to scoring and defending against goals through linear regression, accounting for venue and opponents.
December 2, 2024 at 10:44 AM
So the College Cup is set, with the semifinals this Friday and the championship game next Monday.
(1) Duke vs. (2) North Carolina
(2) Wake Forest vs. (3) Stanford
Today, I'm sharing 5-year trends in each team's isolated scoring and defending strengths.
(1) Duke vs. (2) North Carolina
(2) Wake Forest vs. (3) Stanford
Today, I'm sharing 5-year trends in each team's isolated scoring and defending strengths.
Me screaming "DID HE CATCH THAT BAWL?" loud enough that they can hear me all the way back in Carolina
November 30, 2024 at 8:29 PM
Me screaming "DID HE CATCH THAT BAWL?" loud enough that they can hear me all the way back in Carolina
Quick viz thread on the quarterfinal matchups in NCAA DI Women's Soccer
Quick reminder: the rankings here are an attempt at isolating some measure of true strength with regard to scoring and defending against goals through linear regression, accounting for venue and opponents.
Quick reminder: the rankings here are an attempt at isolating some measure of true strength with regard to scoring and defending against goals through linear regression, accounting for venue and opponents.
November 26, 2024 at 9:58 AM
Quick viz thread on the quarterfinal matchups in NCAA DI Women's Soccer
Quick reminder: the rankings here are an attempt at isolating some measure of true strength with regard to scoring and defending against goals through linear regression, accounting for venue and opponents.
Quick reminder: the rankings here are an attempt at isolating some measure of true strength with regard to scoring and defending against goals through linear regression, accounting for venue and opponents.
Remember when everyone started to realize that Sam Hinkie's rebuild in Philadelphia actually worked? Just imagine if that team actually won the title too.
I don't bring this up for any particular reason.
I don't bring this up for any particular reason.
November 24, 2024 at 10:37 AM
Remember when everyone started to realize that Sam Hinkie's rebuild in Philadelphia actually worked? Just imagine if that team actually won the title too.
I don't bring this up for any particular reason.
I don't bring this up for any particular reason.
Rookie to rookie in the 93rd minute, just as you'd expect
November 16, 2024 at 7:03 PM
Rookie to rookie in the 93rd minute, just as you'd expect