Trinity Rodman's free agency decision exposes a deeper NWSL flaw | OneFootball

This week, all that should be spoken about is the how the Washington Spirit are looking to redeem themselves. They are entering a second straight championship game after losing a year ago to the Orlando Pride. Now they are set to play against Gotham FC.

The problem, though, is the looming question as to what will happen with superstar Trinty Rodman. The NWSL Champion and Olympic gold medalist is entering free agency. However, it seems her representatives are negotiating with the league to secure a new deal.

The hiccup to her returning to the NWSL is the price tag that the Spirit or any other team would be able to offer the star. The Spirit are under a salary cap through the NWSL. It puts them at odds with the leagues in Europe, which, like Major League Baseball, don't work under a salary cap.

The salary cap may see stars such as Rodman go to play abroad as oppose to continuing time within the NWSL. The market bears that she is arguably one of the stars of women's soccer and would be well within her rights to play overseas.

It does, though, represent an issue with the league that wants to build off momentum from retiring players such as Alex Morgan. The transition from Morgan to Rodman in terms of market value is growing. Other stars of the US National Team, such as Alyssa Thompson and Naomi Girma, have all chosen to go play in Europe.

Trinity Rodman is looking for a salary over 2 million a year

The NWSL was questioned during the World Cup due to many players in the top teams playing in Europe as opposed to the American league. However, that may have been people looking to play on the United States National Team. Those doubters disappeared after their Gold Medal in Paris.

Now the NWSL will be looking to continue to keep their stars and have a grown product. But if the market continues to produce what they need to make more money, it may be worth the league looking at increasing the salary cap itself.

The interest is there for the league to continue to grow and be worth the investment in stadiums and on television. But keeping a player like Rodman will be vital for those things to continue.

In 2021, Rodman was a part of the Spirit's NWSL Championship. Another title to her resume would be impressive, but the Spirit will want her around for years to come to have more opportunities and chances.