Trinity Rodman Signs Historic Contract With Washington Spirit Ending Contract Saga
After months of speculation, legal grievances, and enough front-office drama to fill a Netflix docuseries, Trinity Rodman isn’t going anywhere. The USWNT superstar officially put pen to paper on Thursday, signing a record-breaking three-year contract with the Washington Spirit that keeps her in the NWSL through the 2028 season. Rodman didn’t just get a raise. She reset the market.
The Ink Is Dry On a Record-Breaking Deal
According to her agent, Mike Senkowski, the new deal pushes Rodman into a tax bracket all her own. We’re talking over $1 million annually, making her the highest-paid female soccer player in the world.
For context, just a few weeks ago, Portland Thorns Forward Sophia Wilson made headlines by exercising an option that hit the $1 million mark. Rodman looked at that bar and cleared it with the same ease she uses to breeze past outside backs. It is a massive payday for a player who, at just 23, has already become the face of the league.
Rodman Stays Home Despite European Interest
With her contract expiring on New Year’s Eve, the sharks were circling. Reports had European giants, we’re talking the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City, ready to back up the Brinks truck to bring Rodman across the pond.
Losing Rodman would have been a catastrophic vibe kill for the NWSL. We already watched stars like Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson pack their bags for England last year. If Rodman, arguably the most electric player in the American game, had followed suit, it would have signaled a full-blown talent drain.
Instead, she chose home.
“I’ve made the DMV my home and the Spirit my family,” Rodman said in a team statement. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season… We’re chasing championships and raising the standard.”
The “Spirit” Of the Rules and the Contract Saga
If you haven’t been following the legal gymnastics happening behind the scenes, grab some popcorn. This deal almost didn’t happen because of NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman.
Back in November, she and the Spirit actually agreed to a creative four-year deal. The problem? It was heavily backloaded to account for the league’s upcoming media rights deal. Berman vetoed it, claiming it violated the “spirit” of the salary cap rules.
The league accused Rodman’s camp of trying to circumvent the cap. The NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) essentially responded with, “Are you kidding me?” and filed a grievance, calling the veto a flagrant violation of free agency rights. It was messy. It was petty. And frankly, it was a little embarrassing for a league trying to project stability.
What the High Impact Player Rule Means For Rodman
The league’s panic button solution was the creation of the “High Impact Player” (HIP) rule—or, as everyone is calling it, the “Rodman Rule.”
Approved by the board of governors in December, this rule allows teams to spend extra cash over the salary cap on players who meet specific “star” criteria. It was clearly designed to keep Rodman in a Spirit jersey without technically breaking the existing cap rules.
Is it a perfect solution? Hardly. The players’ union hates it and has already filed a grievance against it, arguing it was implemented without bargaining. But for now, it is the mechanism that allows Washington to pay her what she’s worth without gutting the rest of their roster.
Why Rodman Is Worth Every Penny
Forget the legal battles and the salary cap math for a second. At the end of the day, you pay Rodman because she is unparalleled box office entertainment.
Since being drafted second overall in 2021, Rodman has been a human highlight reel. She was the Rookie of the Year. She brought Washington a championship. She has a Gold Medal around her neck from Paris. She has that rare “it” factor that puts butts in seats and sells jerseys.
In a sports landscape that is constantly fighting for attention, Rodman demands it. Her “trin-spin” move is iconic. Her joy on the field is infectious. And her connection to the fans in Washington is genuine.
“Trinity is an inspiration to young girls across America,” her agent said. And he’s right. But she’s also a nightmare for defenders across the globe.
