Trinity Rodman Becomes World’s Highest-Paid Women’s Soccer Player

February 9, 2026

Trinity Rodman has signed a groundbreaking contract with the Washington Spirit that makes her the highest-paid player in women's soccer globally, earning over $1 million annually. After becoming a free agent following the 2025 season, Rodman fielded interest from European clubs offering salaries that exceeded typical NWSL salary cap limits. The league's board of governors recently approved a new "High Impact Player" rule that permits teams to surpass the salary cap by up to $1 million for exceptional players, which enabled this historic deal.

Who is affected

Trinity Rodman (player signing the contract)
The Washington Spirit (NWSL team)
Michele Kang (Spirit owner)
Mike Senkowski (Rodman's agent)
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman
Other NWSL teams (affected by new salary cap rules)
Top clubs in England (who pursued Rodman)
U.S. women's national team (Rodman is a key player)
Spirit teammates and fans

What action is being taken

Trinity Rodman is signing a new contract with the Washington Spirit
The NWSL board of governors has approved a new "High Impact Player" rule allowing teams to exceed the salary cap by up to $1 million for elite players

Why it matters

This contract represents a milestone for pay equity and professional valuation in women's soccer, establishing a new benchmark for player compensation globally. The creation of the "High Impact Player" rule demonstrates the league's willingness to adapt its structure to retain elite talent and compete with international clubs. Rodman's decision to stay in the NWSL rather than pursue higher-paying opportunities overseas signals growing confidence in the league's future and its ability to support top-tier players.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle