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Jeff Kassouf
United States forward Trinity Rodman secured a groundbreaking three-year contract with the Washington Spirit on Thursday, extending her tenure with the club until 2028 and putting an end to prolonged speculation about her future.
According to multiple sources, the contract, which exceeds $2 million annually with bonuses, makes her the top-earning player in league history as well as the highest-paid female soccer player globally, as confirmed by her agent Mike Senkowski of Upper 90 Sports Group.
Previously, Barcelona‘s Aitana Bonmatí, a three-time Ballon d’Or winner, was regarded as the world’s highest-paid women’s player.
Meanwhile, Portland Thorns forward Sophia Wilson recently became the first NWSL player to secure a $1 million annual contract by exercising her player option for 2026.
Rodman, along with Spirit owner Michele Kang, president of soccer operations Haley Carter, and CEO Kim Stone, announced the contract at BMO Field in Los Angeles, where Rodman is currently training with the USWNT.
“I feel amazing, very happy, and truly blessed,” Rodman stated after signing. “This is a monumental moment and a game-changer. Words can’t express how it feels. Everyone has their opinions, but that doesn’t faze me.”
Rodman continued, “I’ve always envisioned my legacy, and we’re making strides toward that, with gratitude to those who help me. This opens doors for American girls with dreams, like I once was, and I’m thankful for that. The timing aligns perfectly with the World Cup happening in the U.S.”
As one of the NWSL’s standout players, Rodman’s future had been a subject of public speculation. After her previous contract lapsed on December 31, she became untethered amid ongoing turbulence concerning her options within the NWSL.
“We at the Spirit are incredibly grateful that she has chosen to stay with us for three more years despite having very compelling offers elsewhere,” Kang remarked during the announcement.
Prior reports indicated Rodman had received offers from overseas, particularly from England, that the Spirit couldn’t match due to the NWSL’s salary cap constraints, which was $3.5 million per team in 2025.
A league source revealed that the cap is projected to increase to around $3.7 million in 2026 following revenue-sharing adjustments.
Washington initially agreed with Rodman on a backloaded, four-year contract that would annualize over $1 million, but the league’s commissioner Jessica Berman blocked the deal, citing violations of the rules. The league alleged Rodman was attempting to circumvent the salary cap.
This led the NWSLPA to file a grievance against the league on Rodman’s behalf, asserting the intervention represented a “flagrant violation” of her free agency and breached multiple sections of the CBA.
In December, the NWSL board approved a new High Impact Player rule to enable teams to spend up to $1 million over the salary cap on exceptional players meeting certain criteria. While discussions had been ongoing for some time, sources claim this was expedited due to the urgency surrounding Rodman’s situation.
“Trin’s contract benefited from the implementation of the HIP rule,” Carter noted.
Had Rodman departed for Europe, it would have marked a significant setback for the NWSL, especially after the exits of fellow USWNT stars Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma to Chelsea last year. Additionally, the Portland Thorns confirmed the transfer of midfielder Sam Coffey to Manchester City last week.
“Trinity serves as an inspiration for young girls across America, and her relatability to fans is essential,” Senkowski said in a statement. “Her choice to stay signifies a strong vision for the future of women’s soccer. She has set a new standard for the sport, which will help drive its growth and the success of the league and its players. I couldn’t be prouder of her.”
Rodman began her journey in the NWSL as a 19-year-old straight out of high school. Originally committed to Washington State University, she opted to turn professional and was drafted second overall by the Spirit in the 2021 NWSL draft.
That rookie year, she played a crucial role in securing the team’s first NWSL championship, scoring in the semifinal and providing the assist for the winning goal in the final.
Following the championship, Rodman was offered a four-year contract worth $1.1 million, making her the league’s highest-paid player at that time. This deal, now surpassed by several others, expired at the end of 2025, leaving her without a club as she rejoined the USWNT for training camp this month.
The High Impact Player rule is still evolving, with the NWSLPA challenging the league’s authority to establish the rule and its criteria-driven basis. The union filed a grievance against the league on January 14 over the rule’s introduction.
Teams are navigating this uncertainty, with the expansion team Denver Summit FC recently signing USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps to a pre-contract for this summer. General manager Curt Johnson stated Heaps qualifies as a HIP player based on criteria and salary, but her status is still unclear.
Regardless, this creates a bookkeeping challenge for the club, and Heaps’ agreement with Denver will remain unchanged. The same goes for Rodman and the Spirit.
“Ultimately, a contract is a contract,” Carter emphasized. “No matter the outcome of the grievance, we have legally committed to Trinity, and we fully intend to honor that agreement.”