The entire women’s soccer audience is keeping an eye on the free agency race for Trinity Rodman. As 2025 comes to a close, a new wrinkle in the negotiation mix comes into play – a historic vote.
The NWSL’s Board of Governors is in advanced talks to approve a new financial mechanism, per ESPN. In a dramatic policy shift crafted to retain the Washington Spirit forward and other star players, this would allow teams to pay higher salaries beyond the league’s strict salary cap.
The possibility of this new mechanism wouldn’t be the first of its kind in American pro soccer, but it would be new to NWSL. Unlike MLS’s designated player rule, the proposed concept would not allow teams to offer unlimited funds to any player. Each club would have a set amount of money beyond the current cap to spend on star players that meet specific criteria, and funds could be used on multiple players. A vote on the new proposal also includes finalizing the parameters that define a “star” player.
Following a 2024 Olympic gold medal win, the U.S. women’s national team winger and Washington Spirit forward had become the most prolific face in American women’s soccer at the moment, leaving plenty to follow her offseason journey as the biggest free agent on the market.
As the new year approaches, the 23-year-old has been transparent about her desire to stay stateside and play in the NWSL, but with ongoing salary-cap discussions and back-and-forth discourse between the league and Rodman’s representation, the waters of negotiations have become a bit murky. While rumors of overseas offers are nearly a month old now, there’s still time for anything to happen, including a stateside offer from the USA Super League.
Trinity Rodman Contract Saga Timeline
To understand just how the contract negotiations arrived at the point of the players union filing a grievance, let’s start with Rodman’s rookie season and continue through 2025:
October 2021: Rodman Caps Off Historic Rookie Season
Rodman caps off a historic rookie season in NWSL by winning the 2021 NWSL Championship. After being drafted No. 2 overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft, she earns starting minutes for her club side, racking up assists and goals in the regular season, and wins Rookie of the Year honors.
She also won U.S. Soccer’s Young Female Player of the Year and was voted to the 2021 NWSL Best XI First Team. Her historic season leads to a new contract, a record-setting $1.1 million deal over four years.
August 2024: New Ownership After New Coaches
The club pivots to new ownership, with new executive leadership, and finishes with a postseason birth. Rodman thrives under new management in both the national team and club.
USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes solidifies her attacking line for the tournament with Rodman, Sophia Wilson, and Mallory Swanson, who go on to score 10 of the USWNT’s goals, dubbed the “Triple Espresso.”
November 2024: Return to the Title Game
Rodman and the Washington Spirit return to the NWSL Championship for the first time since winning during her rookie season in 2021. However, her exhaustion and a back injury limit her minutes ahead of November.
January 2025: Rodman’s Contract Almost Up
Rodman begins her contract year, and clubs overseas monitor her situation ahead of the NWSL season.
February 2025: Slowly Returning
NWSL teams meet the hard deadline to start preseason training camps. Rodman was with the club for training, though the expectation was that she would gradually work her way back into form.
March 2025: Rodman Begins Her Season
Rodman begins her NWSL campaign after time away from national team camps. She dresses for the cup match but does not play.
April 2025: A Return to the USWNT
Rodman makes the USWNT game day roster for friendlies against Brazil after increased minutes for the Washington Spirit and scores in the 2-0 win.
August 2025: Monumental Comeback Goal
Rodman makes a triumphant return and scores in her first club game since April.
September 2025: Picking Up Steam
Rodman’s performance improves as she regains her form, scoring three goals and getting multiple honors.
October 2025: Injury Bug Strikes Again
Rodman sustains a knee injury, which affects her participation in the remainder of the regular season.
November 2025: Touch-and-Go Status
The Spirit makes it to the NWSL Championship, and Rodman’s contract status is in the spotlight during these games as a significant storyline.
December 2025: NWSLPA Files Grievance
The NWSLPA files a grievance on Rodman’s behalf after a complex contractual situation. The league is accused of circumventing her free agency rights amid ongoing negotiations.
As both sides try to navigate the evolving situation, Rodman’s representation is working hard to establish what could be a vital contract in NWSL history.
