The Orlando Pride have signed forward Barbra Banda to a new contract through the 2029 season, the club announced, locking up one of the NWSL’s best players for the long term in one of the league’s biggest contracts.
Multiple sources told ESPN that the Pride used the NWSL’s new High Impact Player (HIP) mechanism to re-sign Banda, making the Zambian forward among only a handful of players in the league designated with HIP status.
Crucially, given the rapid rise in transfer rates and activity in the women‘s game, the contract does not include a release clause, a source with knowledge of the deal confirmed.
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“Barbra is a cornerstone of everything we are building at the Pride,” Caitlin Carducci, the Orlando Pride’s VP of soccer operations and general manager, said in a statement. “She is one of the most dynamic players in world football and her impact on our club has been extraordinary from the moment she arrived in Orlando.
“As we continue to compete for championships, it is critical that we not only attract top talent but also create an environment where the world’s best players want to stay and build their careers.”
The NWSL ratified the new HIP rule in December 2025 as a mechanism to pay star players like Trinity Rodman, whose contract saga last winter prompted the timing of the rule. The HIP rule allows teams to spend up to $1 million extra outside of the salary cap ($3.7 million in 2026) on players who meet certain criteria.
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Banda is one of the nominees for this year’s Ballon d’Or, marking her third straight appearance on the list.
Banda led Orlando to its best season in history in 2024, when the Pride won the NWSL Shield and the NWSL Championship — a rare league double — after starting the season unbeaten through 23 games. She scored the only goal in the final and was named MVP of the match after scoring 13 goals that season and adding another four in the playoffs.
After a 2025 that was cut short due to injury, Banda returned with a bang this season. She has scored 16 goals in 20 games — over half of the 31 goals that the Pride have scored this year.
Her 16 goals rank second in the NWSL Golden Boot race behind North Carolina Courage forward Ashley Sanchez (19). Banda’s 16 goals also set a new Orlando record.
Orlando has struggled to build support around Banda. The Pride are currently seven points out of a playoff spot with six games left to play. The team’s run of form recently cost Seb Hines his job as head coach.
Banda has been absent from four of the team’s games this season, first due to a minor injury before representing Zambia at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Zambia failed to qualify for next year’s World Cup after being eliminated in the group stage.
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“Barbra is a transformational player whose impact extends far beyond the goals she scores on the field,” Orlando Pride owner and chairman Mark Wilf said in a statement. “She represents the ambition, excellence and winning culture we’ve built and want to sustain long-term.
“Since arriving in Orlando, she has helped elevate our club to new heights and establish us among the world’s premier women’s football organizations. Securing Barbra’s future is a reflection of our commitment to competing for championships year after year and investing in the players who define our club. We are proud that Orlando will continue to be her home for years to come.”
