Manchester City were brave when they decided to smash their financial architecture to make Bunny Shaw one of the highest-paid female footballers in the world. To reshape an entire pay scale around one player was previously unthinkable. Most believed they would not be so bold.
City's decision makers wavered and nearly turned their back on the club's prized striker. But the U-turn that followed has the potential to be era-defining. In most cases, it would be considered unwise to allocate such a high proportion of the wage bill in favour of one individual.
But this player is special. Irreplaceable on every level. The best the Women's Super League has ever seen.
Shaw plundered 27 goals in 32 outings in all competitions for Manchester City last term. Her WSL tally (21) helped her become the first player in competition history to win the Golden Boot for a third successive campaign; her excellence acting as the backbone of City's league and cup double. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Of course others contributed plenty.
But not as forcefully as Shaw. Personal commendation does not get higher than being named PFA Player of the Year, the second time in three seasons she has won the respect of peers she plays with and against. City boss Andree Jeglertz takes his fair share of praise, too.
He unlocked new levels in Shaw. The forward herself calls that difference "free football", a phrase used to describe the key change between City's style under Jeglertz and the more structured approach of predecessor Gareth Taylor. "Chemistry is the biggest thing," Shaw cited when collecting her PFA award.
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