The major question of the NWSL offseason has now been settled: Trinity Rodman has officially re-signed with the Washington Spirit, extending her contract until 2028. The announcement was made on Thursday, confirming that one of the league’s brightest stars will stay with the team for the time being. According to Upper 90 Sports Group agent Mike Cenkowski, Rodman’s annual earnings will surpass $2 million, making her the highest-paid female soccer player worldwide.
This announcement concludes a prolonged negotiation process, which saw interest from other teams both in the U.S. and England. Despite some tensions over the new contract structure, the Spirit were determined to keep her. This included a complaint from the NWSL Players Association regarding the contract terms, which remains unresolved. The NWSL’s new High Impact Player Rule started in July and was a pivotal factor that enabled the Spirit and Rodman to finalize a deal that the league found acceptable.
“I have made the DMV my home and Spirit my family, and I knew this is where I wanted to enter the next chapter of my career,” Rodman stated in a press release. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season and am eager to see where this club heads next. We’re pursuing championships and raising the bar, and I can’t wait to keep doing this with my teammates and the best fans in the NWSL.”
The resolution of the contract negotiations is a positive development for all parties, especially Rodman, as she looks ahead to an important period with the U.S. women’s national team leading up to the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Many see this as a significant milestone in the evolution of the NWSL, reflecting the rapid growth of women’s soccer globally. Rodman’s return to the league is just one facet of a broader discussion about the future of the sport.
Here’s what Rodman’s new contract signifies for the NWSL and possibly for the sport overall.
NWSL succeeds in retaining USWNT superstar; Trinity Rodman signs new contract with Washington Spirit
sandra herrera
NWSL Could Utilize Rodman’s Star Power
The reason NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman emphasized the importance of keeping Rodman is clear—she is arguably the league’s most prominent star.
Star power is crucial for the NWSL, which has always taken pride in its ability to showcase top talent, even during difficult financial times and when overall visibility was less than ideal. Although the league could still maintain a competitive level without Rodman, her unique skills and marketability make her an essential asset for both the Spirit and the NWSL. She’s played a significant role in elevating the Spirit’s popularity, as evidenced by their two sold-out matches at Audi Field heading into the 2025 championship.
The positive news for Rodman and the NWSL is that she isn’t the only player capable of helping build a brand. As the NWSL undergoes a transition, with many retiring stars from earlier generations like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, Rodman could lead a new wave of rising talent alongside players such as Sophia Wilson from the Portland Thorns and Mallory Swanson from the Chicago Stars. With major events on the horizon, including the 2026 Men’s World Cup in the U.S., the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, there’s significant potential for the NWSL to strengthen its position.
High Impact Player Rules Are Effective—For Now
With a salary cap of $3.3 million per team set for the 2026 season, it was evident the NWSL needed a strategy to remain competitive with ambitious European clubs. The High Impact Player (HIP) Rule emerged to facilitate Rodman’s return before preseason, although it currently faces criticism and questions about its long-term sustainability.
While not unique to women’s soccer, special provisions for distinct players exist in other leagues, like MLS’s Designated Player Rule. The HIP framework allows teams to invest an additional $1 million in elite players based on various factors, including USWNT appearances and recognition, which makes it stand out. However, some inconsistencies arose—such as when Orlando Pride’s Lisbeth Ovalle was deemed ineligible for a significant transfer fee last summer due to the rule’s criteria.
Recently, the NWSL Players Association filed a complaint claiming that the HIP regulations violate both the collective bargaining agreement and federal labor laws. This legal challenge could impact the future implementation of the HIP rules. Even if they remain unchanged, the anticipated salary cap increases will be a significant focus point. The salary cap is slated to rise to $5.1 million by the 2030 season, but whether that will suffice to keep up with climbing transfer fees and wages in women’s soccer remains uncertain.
Tug of War with Europe Persists
Though the Spirit appeared to be the ideal destination for Rodman this winter, the allure of Europe might linger. Last year, Rodman expressed in an ESPN interview that if she ever retired, she’d be devastated if she hadn’t experienced playing overseas. This sentiment resonates with many USWNT players, including Sam Coffey, who transferred to Manchester City from the Portland Thorns, seeking international experience.
Player choice reflects a healthy state of women’s soccer, particularly for top-tier athletes like Rodman and Coffey. Many players opt to temporarily play abroad for broader experiences, mirroring the paths taken by stars like Morgan and Rapinoe. The current landscape of the sport is fascinating; despite some perception that NWSL teams are conservative with spending, only a handful of European clubs currently compete with NWSL for world-class players. For the foreseeable future, a few select clubs in both the U.S. and Europe will likely vie for the top talent, which may result in a more evenly distributed talent pool.
The NWSL and women’s soccer at large face an uncertain future regarding when more wealthy European clubs will recognize the value in investing in women’s football. Teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have yet to tap into their full financial potential for women’s soccer, though many clubs on the brink of emerging from the shadows could quickly accelerate their growth. If these European teams begin to invest sincerely in women’s soccer, it could pose a significant challenge for the NWSL unless the league adapts to maintain its leadership role.
Fan Take: Rodman’s contract renewal is monumental not just for the Spirit but for the entire landscape of women’s soccer, reinforcing the league’s commitment to nurturing star talent amidst rising global competition. Her decision to stay could galvanize the support and visibility of the NWSL, potentially paving the way for even greater advancements in women’s sports.
