Trinity Rodman has become the highest-paid female soccer player in the world after signing a three-year contract with the Washington Spirit, her agent Mike Senkowski told ESPN.
The daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman was without a club, as her previous contract with Spirit expired on December 31, 2025.
The new contract, reportedly worth six million dollars (two million per year), includes bonuses, and secures her place at Spirit until 2028.
"It feels amazing. I'm very happy and blessed."
"I think this is a pivotal moment. I can't even describe how I feel," said 23-year-old Rodman.
Fence Bonmati, a midfielder for Barcelona and the Spanish national team, has won the Ballon d'Or three times (2023, 2024 and 2025) and was reportedly the highest-paid player before Rodman.
Salary in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was capped at $3,5 million per team in 2025.
The NWSL board of directors approved a new “high-impact player” rule in late December 2025 that allows teams to spend up to $1 million over the cap on female athletes who meet certain criteria.
Trinity Rodman helped the Spirits win the NWSL championship in her debut season in 2021 and was named Rookie of the Year.
"She is a player of a generation, but more importantly, Trinity represents the future of this club and women's soccer," said Michelle Kang, owner of the Washington Spirits.
Since her debut in 2022, she has played 47 games for the US national team, scoring 11 goals.
At the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Trinity scored three goals as the USA won gold.
Her father, Dennis Rodman, won five NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.
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'Spirit's fight to keep Trinity Rodman'
The most successful European clubs have been closely monitoring Rodman's future in case there is room to bring the world-class player on the free market.
Chelsea, the reigning champions of the Women's Super League, were one of them, ready to react if a place for them was not found within the NWSL.
The American League and the Washington Spirit battled legal regulations to try to retain one of their greatest talents.
It was an unprecedented situation.
Rodman isn't the best player in the world, but she has the potential to become one and it would undoubtedly be a significant loss for the NWSL if they were unable to retain her.
They saw Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson go to Chelsea, and in January 2026, midfielder Sam Coffey made a significant transfer to Manchester City.
The NWSL has led women's soccer for years, but WSL and Mexico's Liga MX Femenil among those now spending big money on the salaries and transfers of female athletes.
Barcelona boasts two players who have won the Ballon d'Or the last five times - Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas - but the club is facing financial problems.
Michelle Kang, an American billionaire and owner of several clubs, is investing heavily in clubs (Lyon, Washington and London City Lionesses), which means that salaries will only increase in global women's football.
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