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Trinity Rodman will remain in the United States as the NWSL’s Washington Spirit signed her to a record women’s soccer contract.
Rodman, 23, is now the highest-paid female soccer player in the world after agreeing to a new contract with the Spirit worth an annual salary of more than $1 million, her agent Mike Senkowski told ESPN.
Rodman’s deal keeps her with the Spirit until 2028.
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(L-R) Washington Spirit President of Football Operations Haley Carter and Trinity Rodman, team owner Michele Kang and general manager Kim Stone pose for a photo during a news conference at BMO Stadium on January 22, 2026. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
“I 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. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season and I’m excited about the direction this club is going.”
As Rodman put pen to paper Thursday night, that ended the chatter regarding his contract. She had been a free agent since her last contract expired at the end of 2025, and many teams were trying to sign the United States women’s national team star around the world.
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Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, had reported offers from primarily English teams. With the NWSL’s salary cap, those overseas deals were expected to rival anything Spirit could give Rodman.
However, the two sides have started negotiating a deal that could be delayed. The deal, which was completed in November 2025. But NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman canceled the deal, which would be a four-year contract worth more than $1 million per season.
At the time, Berman called the deal violating “the spirit of the league.”
Trinity Rodman of the Washington Spirit wipes away a tear during a press conference at BMO Stadium on January 22, 2026. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
Rodman’s chances of remaining in the United States seemed slim after that, but the NWSL wanted to keep one of Team USA’s bright young stars in the United States.
So the Board of Governors approved the high-impact player rule, which allows teams to spend up to $1 million above the cap on contracts for star players like Rodman who meet specific metrics, including on-field performance and market value.
Rodman was emotional as she signed the deal, wiping away tears after a long process.
“Trinity is a generational player, but more importantly, she represents the future of this club and the future of women’s soccer,” Spirit majority owner Michele Kang said in a statement. “This agreement reflects our belief that elite talent deserves elite engagement.
Trinity Rodman of the Washington Spirit answers questions during a news conference at BMO Stadium on January 22, 2026. (Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images)
“At the Spirit, we are building something lasting: a club that competes in championships every year, invests in excellence and creates an environment in which world-class players can flourish for the long term. Trinity choosing to continue his career in Washington is a strong statement about what we are building here.”
Rodman totaled 28 goals and 17 assists in 97 games played during his five seasons with the Spirit, the team that drafted him second overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft.
