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Trinity Rodman will remain in the United States as the NWSL’s Washington Spirit awarded her a record contract for women’s soccer.
Rodman, 23, is now the highest-paid female soccer player in the world after accepting a new contract with the Spirit for an annual salary of more than $1 million, her agent Mike Senkowski told ESPN.
Rodman’s deal keeps her with the Spirit through 2028.
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(L-R) Washington Spirit President of Football Operations Haley Carter and Trinity Rodman, team owner Michele Kang and CEO Kim Stone pose for a photo during a press conference at BMO Stadium on Jan. 22, 2026. (Kiyoshi Mio/Image Images)
“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. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season and excited about where this club is headed.”
When Rodman put pen to paper Thursday night, the back-and-forth over his contract ended. She had been a free agent since her last contract expired at the end of 2025, and there was a flurry of teams trying to sign the US Women’s National Team star around the world.
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Rodman, daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, had received offers from teams primarily in England. With the NWSL salary cap, those overseas deals were expected to rival what the Spirit could give Rodman.
However, both sides began negotiating an agreement that could be postponed. The deal, which was worked on in November 2025. But NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman canceled the deal, which was reported to be a four-year contract worth more than $1 million per season.
At the time, Berman called the agreement 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/Image Images)
Rodman’s chances of staying stateside seemed slim after that, but the NWSL wanted to keep one of Team USA’s bright young stars in the US.
Thus, 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 parameters, including on-field performance and marketability.
Rodman was emotional when she signed the deal, wiping away tears after a long process.
“Trinity is a generational player, but most 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 commitment.
Trinity Rodman of the Washington Spirit answers questions during a press conference at BMO Stadium on January 22, 2026. (Kiyoshi Mio/Image Images)
“At the Spirit, we are building something lasting: a club that competes for championships every year, invests in excellence and creates an environment where world-class players can thrive over the long term. Trinity’s choice to continue his career in Washington is a powerful statement about what we are building here.”
Rodman has totaled 28 goals and 17 assists in 97 games played during her five seasons with the Spirit, the team that selected her second overall in the 2021 NWSL Draft.
