Trinity Rodman is staying in the National Women’s Soccer League. She is also taking a place at the top of the sport’s pay scale.
The Washington Spirit announced Thursday that Rodman signed a new three-year contract. The deal will keep her with the club through 2028. Multiple reports said it is the richest contract in women’s soccer worldwide.
Her agent, Mike Senkowski, told ESPN the agreement is worth more than $2 million per year. That figure includes bonuses.
Rodman called the contract “a monumental and game-changing moment” for women’s soccer.
Rodman, 23, has been one of the league’s biggest stars since she entered the NWSL in 2021. She was the youngest player drafted in league history at the time.
Her new deal ends months of uncertainty after her previous contract expired following the 2025 season.
A Deal that Reshapes the NWSL Market
Rodman’s salary is notable inside a league that has long faced financial limits. NWSL teams must operate under a salary cap. That cap became a major factor during negotiations.
An earlier contract proposal between Rodman and the Spirit was rejected by the league. Reuters reported NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman vetoed the arrangement. The league believed it could violate salary cap rules.
The NWSL Players Association later filed a grievance tied to the situation, according to Reuters.
The league responded by creating a new roster mechanism. It is called the “High Impact Player” rule. It allows a team to exceed the cap by up to $1 million for elite players. Reuters reported the rule is informally known as the “Trinity Rodman rule.”
The policy shift could help teams keep top talent at home. In recent years, many stars have pursued bigger salaries overseas.
Rodman had interest from clubs abroad, according to reports. She still chose to stay in Washington.
Rodman has been a centerpiece for the Spirit since the start of her career. She helped Washington win the NWSL championship in 2021.
She is also a key figure for the U.S. women’s national team. Reuters noted she won Olympic gold with the United States in Paris.
On the field, her production has been consistent. Reuters reported Rodman has 33 goals and 21 assists in 109 matches over five seasons.
The contract is a statement from the Spirit and their ownership. It also signals the league’s growing willingness to compete financially.