USWNT star Trinity Rodman signs NWSL-record deal with Washington Spirit

Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, has emerged as one of the NWSL’s most prominent players, scoring 21 goals in 97 appearances for the Spirit since making her professional debut in 2021. The forward was also part of the USWNT’s “Triple Espresso” frontline alongside Mallory Swanson and Sophia Wilson, helping the team win Olympic gold in 2024.

Rodman’s return represents a significant statement for the NWSL, which has recently seen several high-profile players depart for Europe, including Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson. ESPN reports Rodman will make over $1 million per season during the duration of her three-year contract. Wilson became the league's first $1 million per season player when she exercised her 2026 player option. 

Rodman has been with the Spirit the entire duration of her professional career. She was selected by the Spirit in the 2021 NWSL draft. 

It was quite the occasion on Thursday, as Spirit owner Michele Kang, president of soccer operations Haley Carter and CEO Kim Stone shared the announcement in Los Angeles at BMO Stadium. Rodman, was already in LA ahead of the U.S. Women's National team's game against Paraguay on Saturday in Carson, Calif. 

“I can’t tell you how excited I am. I had to wait for this for a long time," Kang said at the press conference.

Rodman stressed that the familiarity of being in the D.C. area and the Spirit's ambition in wanting to contend made the decision easy. 

“I’ve made the DMV my home and the Spirit my family, and I knew this was where I wanted to enter the next chapter of my career,” Rodman said. “I’m proud of what we’ve built since my rookie season, and I’m excited about where this club is headed. We’re chasing championships and raising the standard, and I can’t wait to keep doing that with my teammates and the best fans in the NWSL.” 

Rodman has made an impact for the Spirit since her first season, earning 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year honors and also recording the championship-winning assist that year. Since her first professional season, she's managed to become the youngest player in league history to reach 50 career goal contributions. She also currently holds the Spirit's all-time assists record, surpassing USWNT legend Crystal Dunn with 14 assists in a regular season.

On Dec. 23, the NWSL introduced the "High Impact Player Rule"  to retain players like Rodman. The rule allows NWSL teams to spend up to $1 million above the salary cap on players who meet a certain criteria (USWNT minutes and appearances on various media lists). This rule has been named the 'Trinity Rodman deal' as it came just after her multiyear deal was denied by the league. 

This rule has been met with much controversy, and last week the NWSL Players Association filed a formal grievance in opposition to the rule. This was the second grievance filed by the NWSLPA, the first sent on behalf of the Rodman situation, where the league denied the contract between Rodman and the Washington Spirit, otherwise an agreed-upon solution to keep Rodman in the NWSL after her contract expired on Dec. 31. The NWSLPA filed a grievance stating that the NWSL's rejection of the deal between Rodman and the Spirit was a "flagrant violation" of her free agency, in addition to at least five sections of the CBA.

 It's not entirely clear whether this deal uses the "High Impact Player Rule" as it doesn't take effect until July 1. 

Rodman in Los Angeles with the USWNT ahead of a pair of friendlies against Paraguay and Chile. Rodman's deal with the Spirit is through 2028, so seeing her at Audi Field is on the horizon. 

“Trinity is a generational player, but more importantly, she represents the future of this club and the future of women’s soccer,” said Kang in the Spirit's announcement. “This agreement reflects our belief that elite talent deserves elite commitment. At the Spirit, we are building something enduring: a club that competes for championships every year, invests in excellence and creates an environment where world-class players can thrive long-term. Trinity choosing to continue her career in Washington is a powerful statement about what we are building here.”