American soccer star Trinity Rodman signed a huge new contract with the Washington Spirit. The deal makes her the highest-paid women’s soccer player in the world. This is big news for the NWSL, which has been trying to stop top players from leaving for Europe.
According to The Daily Mail, Rodman signed a three-year deal that keeps her with the team through 2028. She will earn more than $1 million every year. Her agent, Mike Senkowski of Upper 90 Sports Group, confirmed she is now the best-paid player in league history and the highest paid globally.
The 23-year-old USWNT star joins teammate Sophia Wilson as the only millionaires in the NWSL. Wilson became the first seven-figure player when she used her option for 2026. Getting Rodman to stay was a big win for the Spirit and owner Michele Kang, especially since her old contract ended at the start of the year.
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The new rule saves the league from losing more stars to Europe
Several clubs in Europe, especially in England, wanted to sign Rodman. The NWSL needed to find a way to keep top American players while still following the salary cap, which is $3.5 million in 2025. The league lost USWNT stars Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson to Chelsea in 2025. Last week, Manchester City signed Portland Thorns midfielder Sam Coffey.
The league first rejected a contract for Rodman worth $1 million per year. The player’s union filed a complaint, calling it a “flagrant violation” of free agency and the collective bargaining agreement. This problem forced the NWSL’s board of governors to create a new rule called the “High Impact Player Rule.” Like other sports stars keeping their future plans quiet, Rodman’s contract situation stayed uncertain for months.
The rule works like the “Designated Player” rule in MLS. Teams can now spend up to $1 million over the salary cap on star players who meet certain requirements. The league created this rule specifically to keep players like Rodman from leaving for other countries.
Rodman has played in DC her whole career since being drafted second overall in 2021. “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 said. “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.”
Owner Michele Kang spoke at Thursday’s announcement event. “Not only me personally but all of us at the Spirit are profoundly grateful that she has chosen to stay with us for another three years despite some very compelling alternatives she had,” Kang said.
Athletes across different sports face similar contract decisions, with some explaining their declining performance numbers as key dates approach. The player’s union filed a complaint against the new High Impact Player Rule on January 14, but the league has secured its biggest star for now.
Published: Jan 23, 2026 01:45 pm