Trinity Rodman Inks Record NWSL Deal With Washington Spirit

Trinity Rodman’s name has become synonymous with star power in women’s soccer, and now, with her latest contract extension, she’s cemented her legacy both on and off the pitch. On January 22, 2026, the Washington Spirit officially announced that Rodman, the electrifying forward and 2024 Olympic gold medalist, has signed a new three-year deal that will keep her in the nation’s capital through the 2028 season. This isn’t just a routine contract renewal—Rodman’s new agreement is making waves across the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and beyond, as she becomes the highest-paid women’s soccer player in the world, earning over $1 million per year according to ESPN.

"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 in a statement released by the club. "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."

Rodman’s journey to this historic contract has been anything but straightforward. Since being drafted second overall by the Spirit in 2021—where she made headlines as the youngest player ever selected at just 18—Rodman has rapidly ascended to the top tier of the women’s game. She captured the league’s Rookie of the Year award in her debut campaign and delivered the championship-winning assist in the 2021 NWSL final, propelling the Spirit to their first league title. Since then, Rodman has become the youngest player in league history to reach 50 career goal contributions and holds the Spirit’s all-time assists record. Her impact has been felt on the international stage as well, with 11 goals and nine assists in 47 caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT), including a starring role in the 2024 Paris Olympics where she netted four goals and an assist, with her extra-time winner against Japan standing out as a tournament highlight.

This new deal, which secures Rodman through 2028, is being hailed as one of the most significant contracts in NWSL and women’s soccer history. But getting to this point wasn’t without drama. The initial contract, agreed upon in December, was vetoed by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, who cited concerns over a sliding-scale salary structure that would have paid Rodman significantly more in the latter half of the agreement—potentially violating the league’s $3.5 million salary cap for the 2026 season. The league’s stance was rooted in its desire to maintain parity, preventing team owners from outspending each other and ensuring competitive balance. The NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) promptly filed a grievance on Rodman’s behalf, arguing for greater flexibility and fairness in player compensation, especially for marquee talents whose value transcends the salary cap.

In response to the growing tension—and perhaps the looming threat of top players departing for lucrative offers overseas—the NWSL instituted the High Impact Player (HIP) rule, which allows clubs to exceed the salary cap by $1 million for players who meet certain criteria. This rule, sometimes referred to as the "Rodman Rule," was a game-changer, enabling the Spirit to finalize a deal that satisfied both the club’s ambitions and the league’s regulations. However, the HIP rule itself has drawn scrutiny and is currently the subject of a new grievance by the NWSLPA, who argue that it may violate the collective bargaining agreement and federal labor laws. For now, though, the rule has done its job—at least as a stopgap—keeping one of the sport’s brightest stars in the NWSL.

"Trinity is a generational player, but more importantly, she represents the future of this club and the future of women’s soccer," said Michele Kang, owner of the Washington Spirit. "This agreement reflects our belief that elite talent deserves elite commitment. At the Spirit, we are building something enduring: a club that competes for championships every year, invests in excellence and creates an environment where world-class players can thrive long-term. Trinity choosing to continue her career in Washington is a powerful statement about what we are building here."

The significance of Rodman’s contract goes far beyond the numbers. It sends a message to the global soccer community that the NWSL is willing to fight to keep its top talent and that the league is evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing landscape. With Europe’s top women’s clubs increasingly willing to invest in marquee players—and with Rodman herself admitting in a past interview with ESPN that she’d "kick herself if I retired" without playing overseas—the NWSL’s ability to retain its stars is a crucial test of its competitiveness and ambition.

Haley Carter, the Spirit’s President of Soccer Operations, emphasized Rodman’s influence both on and off the field: "She’s an elite athlete on the field, but she’s also a cultural force in DC, nationally and globally. As we build something sustainable here that our fans can be proud of, Trinity is a foundational piece of that. I’m looking forward to everything she’s going to accomplish as we compete for championships together."

Rodman’s contract extension also comes at a pivotal time for the NWSL, with the league looking to capitalize on the momentum of recent years and the upcoming 2026 men’s World Cup, 2027 Women’s World Cup, and 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Spirit, after finishing as runners-up in the 2025 NWSL championship against Gotham FC, are hungry for another title. Preseason has already begun, and the regular season kicks off on March 13, 2026, with a high-profile clash against the Portland Thorns at Audi Field.

Interestingly, the Spirit are not resting on their laurels. Reports indicate the club is set to sign Claudia Martínez, an 18-year-old Paraguayan forward, for a transfer fee of $950,000—a move that would rank among the highest ever for a player of her age. Such ambition, coupled with Rodman’s new contract, signals the Spirit’s intent to remain at the forefront of women’s soccer, both domestically and internationally.

For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Trinity Rodman. Her decision to stay in Washington, D.C., despite interest from clubs abroad, is a victory for the Spirit, the NWSL, and fans eager to see women’s soccer continue its meteoric rise. As the league navigates salary cap debates, evolving rules, and the tug-of-war with Europe, Rodman’s presence ensures that the Spirit—and the league—will remain must-watch for years to come.