SAN JOSE, Calif. — Spirit star ahead Trinity Rodman on Thursday did her finest to close down hypothesis relating to her NWSL future as she tries to stay laser targeted on Saturday’s championship match towards Gotham FC.
Rodman reportedly has acquired a number of profitable worldwide affords from prime European golf equipment, however she stated “no selections” have been made relating to her impending free company.
She stated it hasn’t even crossed her thoughts that Saturday’s recreation probably might be her final within the NWSL.
“I’m not there in any respect,” Rodman stated. “There might be conversations being had, however proper now I’m so excited to be representing the Spirit. I’m not even considering of when my final recreation can be. However yeah, I simply need to win it and we’ll see.”
Rodman is on the heart of what might be a pivotal second in league historical past because the NWSL’s wage cap restraints might end in an exodus of star gamers leaving for higher compensation elsewhere.
The Athletic reported that DC Energy, of the Gainbridge Tremendous League, introduced Rodman with a “considerably bigger” contract than what the Spirit or NWSL can compete towards beneath the present wage cap restrictions.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman was peppered with wage cap-related questions throughout her hourlong press convention. She stated the league’s wage cap had “virtually quadrupled” over the previous 4 seasons because the league’s recognition and income streams grew.
However she didn’t appear to entertain the concept of softening the NWSL’s present arduous cap, which was set at $3.5 million per membership this season.
“It’s arduous to say” whether or not the wage cap was an applicable mechanism for the NWSL at the moment, in keeping with Rodman.
“In ladies’s sports activities, there’s all the time this battle for equal pay, to receives a commission extra for the work that we do,” Rodman stated. “However once more, I’m 23 years previous. I’m not going to attempt to utterly change the league and repair that. However on the identical time, yeah, we’re all the time going to push and try for extra.”
Nonetheless, Berman stays steadfast about retaining Rodman within the league.
“We would like Trinity within the NWSL, and we’ll battle for her,” Berman stated. “And we’re excited to see her compete within the championship on Saturday.”
Rodman, 23, was flattered by Berman’s feedback and has been joyful since beginning her skilled profession within the NWSL in 2021.
“However on the identical time, like, I don’t need to put that strain on myself of as a result of she stated that now, I’m like, ‘Oh, shoot, I’m trapped,’ ” Rodman stated. “Once more, I’m targeted on this weekend, and that’s actually all I can deal with. After which transferring ahead, then that’s after I actually have these conversations and difficult calls that I have to have.”
Berman signed a multi-year contract extension to maintain her accountable for ushering the league into its subsequent period of development, the NWSL introduced Thursday.
Berman took over as NWSL commissioner in 2022 and beneath her watch the league has checked off many main milestones, together with a brand new collective bargaining settlement, league growth and skyrocketing membership valuations.
“Jessica’s management has been instrumental in reworking the NWSL into a worldwide sports activities property,” Gotham FC proprietor and NWSL govt committee chair Carolyn Tisch Blodget stated in a press release. “Her imaginative and prescient for sustainable development, alongside along with her skill to gas enduring momentum, has positioned the league for long-term success.”
Berman now’s beneath contract by means of the 2028 season, the Equalizer reported.
