American soccer’s most electrifying superstar finally has a new club contract and is staying put. U.S. women’s national team winger Trinity Rodman signed a three-year contract extension with the Washington Spirit, the club announced on Thursday. Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang and club president Haley Carter made the special announcement at a media event in Los Angeles.

Rodman’s salary will exceed $2 million annually, as confirmed by her agent Mike Senkowski from Upper 90 Sports Group, making her the highest-paid player in women’s soccer globally.

“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,” said Rodman in a press release. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season, and I’m excited about where this club is headed. 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.”
(Translation: DMV refers to the D.C., Maryland, Virginia area, commonly known as the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia region.)

The 23-year-old Rodman spent several weeks in contract limbo after the 2025 NWSL Championship in November. Her previous contract with the Spirit was set to expire after the 2025 season. As negotiations progressed, attention concerning her future intensified, leading to a series of urgent developments.

An end to extensive negotiations

Rodman’s new contract concludes an ongoing series of negotiations. She made waves with an impressive rookie season in 2021, winning NWSL Rookie of the Year and the 2021 NWSL Championship. Her dynamic performances showcase her athleticism and skill, characterized by unselfish assists and a signature “trin-spin” move.

Her unique play style, love for American chain restaurants, and engaging TikToks have shaped her persona beyond just a soccer player. After claiming an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, her profile transcended into mainstream sports conversations.

This deal marks a significant win for Rodman, who wished to remain in the U.S. and play for the league she has helped uplift. For the NWSL, securing Rodman preserves its capacity to retain star players, thus maintaining the league’s competitive edge.

A complex negotiation landscape

The journey to a new contract involved various challenges, especially as the league navigated the balance between promoting parity while compensating its standout players adequately. At one point, a four-year contract worth over $1 million annually was agreed upon but was vetoed by commissioner Jessica Berman for violating league rules regarding contract structures.

The veto prompted the NWSL Players Association to file a grievance, arguing against the legitimacy of the veto as it infringed on Rodman’s free agency rights. The added complications created a stalemate as the NWSL delved into discussions about salary cap adjustments.

After deliberation, the decision arose to establish the High-Impact Player rule, permitting teams to access additional funding beyond the salary cap for “star” players. This move was seen as a cautious response to the ongoing discussions, yet its implementation led to additional grievances from the players’ union concerning the lack of bargaining.

A pivotal moment for the future

Rodman’s new contract bodes optimism for the future of the NWSL. As she expertly navigates her career, her record reflects resilience, showcasing her ability not just to perform but to recover from injuries and continue excelling.

Rodman’s choice to sign with her preferred league embodies a breakthrough for the NWSL’s evolving identity, reinforcing her role as a pivotal player shaping both the league and the national team. As she embarks on this new chapter with the Washington Spirit, she aims to deepen her community involvement:

“I think my next steps with Spirit are just tapping more into community and youth,” Rodman expressed during the contract announcement. “…I want to be involved with youth that are less fortunate, because I know, even just speaking from experience, I was not financially stable growing up… so I want to take advantage of everything that I can do.”
(Translation: Rodman emphasizes the need for access to sports opportunities for underprivileged youth.)

Upcoming ventures

Currently, Trinity Rodman is participating in the USWNT January training camp, gearing up for upcoming friendly matches against Paraguay and Chile.