Trinity Rodman becomes new ‘highest paid’ female footballer
January 23, 2026 07:50 pm
The deal the Washington Spirit announced on Thursday ended weeks of uncertainty over the footballing future of Trinity Rodman, whose previous contract with the club had expired on December 31.
“I knew this was where I wanted to enter the next chapter of my career,” the 23-year-old said in a statement. “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 [National Women’s Soccer League].”
In a statement, the club described the deal as “one of the most significant contracts in the NWSL and the women’s game worldwide, reflecting both Rodman’s elite status and the Spirit’s role as a global standard-bearer in women’s soccer.”
In her five seasons in the league, Rodman has scored 33 goals and added 21 assists in 109 games across all competitions.
‘Highest paid player’
American media outlets ESPN and The Athletic reported the three-year deal is worth more than $2 million (€1.7 million) annually, including bonuses. Her agent, Mike Senkowski, was quoted by both as saying the new contract would make her the highest-paid player in women’s football.
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, who has won the Ballon d’Or the last three years running, had reportedly been the highest-earning female player prior to Rodman’s new deal.
‘High Impact Player’ rule approved
Rodman,who was part of the United States team that won a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, had come to terms with the Spirit on a four-year-contact late last year. However, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman vetoed the deal, reportedly on the grounds that it violated the “spirit” of league salary rules. The NWSL Players Association responded by filing a grievance against the league on the player’s behalf.
In December, the league’s board of governors approved the creation of a new “High Impact Player” rule, allowing teams to spend up to $1 million beyond the salary cap on star players – provided they meet a broad set of criteria including a marketability threshold and nomination for major awards.
The move is seen as an effort to make it easier to keep star players in the NWSL when faced with offers from clubs abroad, which are not subject to a salary cap. ESPN reported that Rodman had received offers from England.The NWSL’s salary cap for 2026 has been set at $3.5 million.
Source: DW News
--Agencies
