Trinity Rodman Signs Record-Breaking Contract with Washington Spirit

United States forward Trinity Rodman has officially signed a groundbreaking three-year contract with the Washington Spirit, committing her to the club through 2028 and alleviating months of speculation regarding her future.

On Thursday, Rodman finalized the multi-million dollar deal, which positions her as the highest-paid player in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) history, earning more than $1 million each year. According to her agent, Mike Senkowski of Upper 90 Sports Group, this contract also establishes her as the highest-paid female player globally.

Sophia Wilson of the Portland Thorns had recently set the precedent as the first player in the NWSL to secure a $1 million annual contract when she exercised her player option for 2026.

The announcement was made at BMO Field in Los Angeles, coinciding with Rodman’s training with the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT). “I’ve made the DMV my home and the Spirit my family, and I knew this was where I wanted to enter the next chapter of my career,” Rodman expressed in a statement from the Spirit. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season, and I’m excited about where this club is headed. We’re chasing championships and raising the standard, and I can’t wait to keep doing that with my teammates and the best fans in the NWSL.”

Spirit owner Michele Kang expressed gratitude for Rodman’s decision to stay, stating, “Not only I personally but all of us at the Spirit are profoundly grateful that she has chosen to remain with us for another three years despite some very compelling alternatives she had.”

As arguably the league’s most prominent star, Rodman’s contract situation has sparked extensive public interest. She had been out of contract since December 31, following the expiration of her previous deal amidst a tumultuous period for the NWSL related to her future.

Reports indicated that Rodman had received offers from international clubs, particularly in England, which the Spirit could not match due to the NWSL’s salary cap restrictions, set at $3.5 million per team for 2025. In late November, a creative agreement was reached to backload a four-year contract that averaged over $1 million per year, yet this was rejected by commissioner Jessica Berman for violating the intent of the league’s regulations. The league also accused Rodman of attempting to circumvent the salary cap.

This prompted the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) to file a grievance on Rodman’s behalf, alleging the league’s intervention constituted a serious infringement on her free agency rights and violated multiple sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

In December, the board of governors approved a new High Impact Player rule, enabling teams to exceed the salary cap by up to $1 million for certain star players. This rule had been under discussion for some time, but its implementation was expedited due to the urgency surrounding Rodman’s contract.

Losing Rodman to a European club would have been a significant setback for the NWSL, particularly following the departures of other USWNT stars Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma to Chelsea last year. The recent transfer of Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey to Manchester City further underscores the competitive landscape.

Rodman’s agent, Senkowski, commended her decision to remain in the NWSL, noting, “Trinity is an inspiration to young girls across America. She is a player they can relate to, and those young fans matter more than anything to her. This decision to continue playing here represents a clear vision for the future of women’s soccer. She set a new standard for the sport and will ultimately drive the continued growth and success of the league and its players. I’m so proud of her.”

Rodman began her professional career with the Washington Spirit at just 19, after pivoting from a commitment to Washington State University. Drafted second overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft, she played a crucial role in leading the team to its first NWSL Championship that same year, scoring in the semifinal and assisting in the game-winning goal in the final.

Following her rookie season, Rodman signed a four-year contract worth $1.1 million, making her the highest-paid player at that time. As her subsequent contract expired at the end of 2025, she found herself without a club until this recent agreement.

The High Impact Player rule remains a contentious topic. The NWSLPA opposes the league’s authority to create such a rule and its criteria-driven approach, leading to another grievance filed on January 14.

Teams are navigating this uncertainty, with expansion team Denver Summit FC recently signing USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps to a pre-contract for the summer. General manager Curt Johnson stated that Heaps meets the criteria to be classified as a High Impact Player, but her status remains unconfirmed.