The Washington Spirit has officially announced the re-signing of star forward Trinity Rodman, marking a significant moment in NWSL history. The new contract ensures that Rodman will stay with the team through the 2028 season. According to her agent, this deal exceeds $1 million per year, making her the highest-paid player in the league’s history and the highest-paid female player globally.
At just 23 years old, Rodman became a free agent after her previous contract ended in 2025. Her decision to remain with the Spirit is a considerable win for the NWSL, especially as several clubs in Europe had shown interest in acquiring the talented forward, who is also a member of the U.S. women’s national team.
Expressing her commitment to the Spirit, Rodman stated, “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.” She added, “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.”
The re-signing came after a tumultuous period where the NWSL’s commissioner, Jessica Berman, intervened to annul an earlier agreement between Rodman and the club. Reports indicated that the initial contract was deemed in violation of league rules, leading to the introduction of the High Impact Player rule aimed at preventing star players from moving to European teams. However, this initiative has faced criticism from the NWSL Players Association, which recently filed a grievance to decrease its impact.
Rodman’s journey in the NWSL began when the Spirit drafted her second overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft, making her the youngest player drafted at that time. She has since made a tremendous impact, earning the league’s Rookie of the Year award and contributing to her team’s 2021 championship win. With two selections to the NWSL Best XI and a goal-scoring record of 11 goals in 47 caps for the USWNT, Rodman continues to be a vital player as she also celebrated winning a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.
The Spirit’s ability to secure Rodman not only strengthens the team but also bolsters the NWSL’s status as it navigates challenges in retaining talent amidst growing international interest. This development promises to enhance the league’s competitiveness as it enters a new chapter.