Trinity Rodman has ended speculation about her future by making history.

On Thursday, the United States forward finally inked a record-breaking three-year deal with the Washington Spirit. This keeps her with the club through 2028.

Notably, the contract is worth more than $2 million annually, including bonuses. And that makes Rodman the highest-paid player in NWSL history, and the highest-paid female soccer player in the world, taking the title away from Aitana Bonmatí, a Ballon d'Or winner.

“It feels amazing. I’m very happy. I’m very blessed,” Rodman said after signing. “I think it’s a monumental and game-changing moment. I can’t even describe in words what it feels like.”

She added, “I’ve always had a vision of what I want my legacy to be. We’re building that now, with a lot of help, and I’m so grateful. This opens up opportunities for American girls with dreams. I was one of them, and I still am.”

She attracted interest from overseas, particularly in England. And those offers didn't compete with what the Spirit could offer under the constraints of the NWSL’s salary cap, which stood at $3.5 million per team in 2025.

And after months, she finally reached a creative agreement with Washington. They backloaded a four-year contract that would have averaged more than $1 million per year.

But NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman rejected the deal. She said it violated the “spirit” of the league’s rules and accused Rodman of attempting to circumvent the salary cap.

However, Trinity Rodman Fought the NWSL

On behalf of Rodman,  the NWSL Players Association filed a grievance against the league. The union called the league’s interference with a legally negotiated contract a “flagrant violation” of free agency. They also cited breaches of at least five sections of the collective bargaining agreement.

As a result, last month, the NWSL Board of Governors approved the creation of a new “high-impact player” rule. This allows teams to spend up to $1 million above the salary cap on players who meet specific criteria.

While Rodman ultimately secured her landmark deal, the NWSLPA continues to oppose the league’s authority to implement the rule and its criteria-based qualification system. For now, Rodman’s future is settled.

Written by

Yashika Dutta

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar