BREAKING: Why Trinity Rodman is staying at Washington Spirit | OneFootball

Nov 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) in action against the Portland Thorns at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

US international Trinity Rodman has agreed a three-year contract to remain with Washington Spirit.

Club owner Michele Kang announced the news at a press event on Thursday, held at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles – adding that the player had been offered some “very compelling” alternative moves.

“Her mark on soccer, on our game, really stretches well beyond the white lines. I can’t tell you how incredible this moment is for the whole Spirit.”

And she then welcomed Rodman on stage to sign her contract in front of a live audience plus assorted members of the media on a virtual link.

“It feels amazing,” said Rodman. “I’m very happy and very blessed. I think it’s a monumental and game-changing moment right now. I can’t even describe in words what it feels like.”

She added that she had gone into the off-season thinking she had not finished her time with Spirit and had more to contribute, saying: “Getting drafted here and developing and learning and maturing and failing at Spirit and DC, it’s become my legacy and my story, but I feel there’s so much more I have to give.”

The deal is reported to be worth more than $1 million every year, making Rodman likely the highest-paid female footballer in the world.

Trinity Rodman: the transfer rumours

It had been reported earlier in the month that several top clubs were interested in signing Rodman, including Chelsea.

Her contract was due to expire, but the club and the league both wanted to keep her. However, Rodman’s value was higher than what the salary cap allowed for the 2025 NWSL season – $3.5 million (£2.6m).

The Washington Spirit then made a contract offer for Rodman that reportedly averaged more than $1m per year (£750,000) over four years, which was rejected by the NWSL for violating the “spirit” of the rules, which in turn led to the players’ union (the NWSLPA) filing a grievance against the league on the player’s behalf.

After that, the NWSL’s board of governors devised a rule that allowed teams to spend up to $1 million over the salary cap on “high impact players”, which also triggered a grievance from the NWSLPA.

Asked whether this rule came into effect for the new contract for Rodman, Kang and president of soccer operations Haley Carter said they would not discuss specifics, but that the contract was constructed and agreed within the league’s rules.

Rodman’s career so far

Rodman was the youngest player ever drafted by the league at the age of 18 in 2021, when she was named Rookie of the Year.

A two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin finalist and a 2024 NWSL MVP finalist, Rodman also holds the Washington Spirit’s all-time assists record.

She was also part of the USA squad that won Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.