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Trinity Rodman isn’t going anywhere.
The U.S. women’s national team superstar forward is re-signing with the Washington Spirit, agreeing to a new three-year deal with the NWSL club. The team made the announcement at an event at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Thursday.
“She’s not just a soccer player,” Spirit owner Michele Kang said during the event. “She’s the blueprint.”
Financial details were not disclosed, though Rodman will reportedly become the highest-paid player in the league and the highest-paid female player in the world. Rodman’s previous four-year deal with the Spirit – worth $1.1 million that made her the league’s highest-paid player at the time – expired on Dec. 31.
“This is a game-changing moment right now,” Rodman said at the event. “I can’t even describe in words what it feels like. Everyone is going to have their different thoughts or opinions about it, but I’ve never really cared. I’ve always had a vision and an idea of what I want my legacy to be and continue to be.
“This is just opening opportunities for American girls with dreams, and I am one and was one of them. I’m just very grateful about that. And it’s perfect timing with the World Cup happening in the U.S., too.”
What’s next for Rodman and the Spirit?
(Photo by Erin Chang/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
This is massive for the Spirit as Rodman is the biggest star in the NWSL, and her popularity will only keep growing. There was legitimate interest from clubs overseas, and Rodman has stated publicly that she has a desire to play abroad someday. So it’s quite an achievement for everyone involved.
There were a few hang-ups that prevented this deal from coming together sooner though. For one, the Spirit reportedly could not match the multimillion-dollar offers coming from overseas due to the NWSL’s salary cap, which was $3.5 million per team in 2025.
In November, the Spirit made Rodman a lucrative offer that the NWSL reportedly declined. This prompted the NWSL Players Association to file a grievance on Rodman’s behalf, arguing the league was violating the CBA.
Long story short, this all ultimately led to the NWSL’s board of governors approving a new High Impact Player rule, which allows teams to exceed the league’s salary cap by up to $1 million for star players who meet certain criteria outlined here. The rule goes into effect on July 1, but teams can start utilizing it now. While it hasn’t been publicly admitted, the rule was fast-tracked to keep Rodman in the league.
Kang confirmed during Thursday’s event that the HIP rule was used for Rodman’s new contract.
“Our goal was to make sure Trin stays with us and the NWSL,” Kang said. “That was 100% the focus.”
Kang said the Spirit worked closely with the league and that they were trying to figure out how to retain Rodman “for more than a year.” And Haley Carter, the Spirit’s president of soccer operations, said “there were a lot of sleepless nights to make sure everything was compliant with the new [HIP] rule.”
As for Rodman, who has performed her total skilled profession with the Spirit, the 23-year-old gushed about how necessary the membership and its followers are to her. She helped the staff win a NWSL championship in 2021, and the Spirit have been title runners-up the final two years. With Rodman returning, the staff is definitely in a window of alternative to win all of it once more.
Whereas there’s nonetheless loads of time left in her profession to play in Europe, now simply isn’t the precise second.
“There’s a lot extra I’ve to provide,” Rodman mentioned.
What’s subsequent for the NWSL?
(Photograph by Scott Taetsch/NWSL by way of Getty Photos)
The league can breathe a sigh of reduction.
Retaining Rodman within the NWSL is crucial for a league that has misplaced some big-time gamers during the last 12 months or so. USA stars like ahead Alyssa Thompson and defender Naomi Girma left the NWSL final 12 months to play for Chelsea, whereas defender Emily Fox has been with Arsenal. Most lately, midfielder Sam Coffey signed with Manchester Metropolis.
However simply final week, the NWSL obtained big information when USA captain Lindsey Heaps introduced she could be returning to the U.S. to play for enlargement staff Denver Summit FC in her hometown.
Maybe now, particularly with the brand new rule, this might be a development. Possibly extra soccer stars will think about staying stateside or select to play within the NWSL as a substitute of Europe sooner or later.
“It is a monumental second, not just for the Spirit, however for the NWSL as effectively,” Kang mentioned.
What’s subsequent for the USA?
(Photograph by Robin Alam/ISI Photographs/Getty Photos)
Nothing adjustments right here. Truly, this occasion was held in L.A. as a result of Rodman is presently in coaching camp with the nationwide staff forward of two matches on Jan. 24 vs. Paraguay and Jan. 27 vs. Chile.
Rodman, who handled accidents for the higher a part of 2025, has not made an look for Emma Hayes’ staff since April 2025 when she scored the successful purpose in a 2-0 win over Brazil. However she’s wholesome now and the purpose is to maintain it that manner. Particularly as a result of this is a vital time with the 2027 World Cup in Brazil on the horizon and qualifying occurring later this 12 months.
Because it pertains extra on to Rodman’s new contract, there’s a element within the HIP rule standards that advantages gamers who earn minutes with the nationwide staff, although Hayes has mentioned that won’t affect her decision-making.
In What’s Subsequent?, we glance forward on the potential influence of trades, hires, signings and extra.
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