Rodman 'becomes highest-paid women's footballer'
Trinity Rodman has been a key player for Spirit since her draft in 2021
- Published
United States forward Trinity Rodman has become the world's highest-paid female footballer after signing a three-year deal with Washington Spirit, according to her agent.
The 23-year-old, daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, has been a free agent since her previous deal with the Spirit expired on 31 December.
But her new deal, worth a reported $2m (£1.5m) a year including bonuses, will keep Rodman with Spirit until 2028.
Her agent, Mike Senkowski, told ESPN the deal will make Rodman the highest-paid female footballer in the world.
"It feels amazing. I'm very happy. I'm very blessed," Rodman said.
"I think it's a monumental and game-changing moment right now. I can't even describe in words what it feels like."
Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2023, 2024 and 2025, was reportedly the highest-earning female player before Rodman's deal.
In 2025 the salary cap for the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was $3.5m (£2.6m) per team.
But the NWSL board of governors approved a new 'High Impact Player' rule in December, which allowed teams to spend up to $1m (£760,000) over the cap on players that meet certain criteria.
"Trinity is a generational player, but more importantly she represents the future of this club and the future of women's soccer," said Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang.
Rodman helped Spirit win the NWSL Championship in her debut season in 2021 and was named the NWSL Rookie of the Year.
She has won 47 caps for the USA, scoring 11 goals since her debut in 2022.
She scored three goals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the USA won gold.
Dennis Rodman won five NBA Championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.
Trinity Rodman on her record-breaking new contract
'Spirit had to battle to keep Rodman' - analysis
The future of Rodman was of great interest to Europe's most successful clubs with the potential to pick up a world-class player in the free market.
Serial Women's Super League winners Chelsea were one of the clubs monitoring her situation and were willing to pounce if the solution for Rodman from the NWSL had fallen through.
It has been an unprecedented situation in the US with the league and Washington Spirit battling through legalities to try to keep one of their best talents.
At the age of 23, Rodman is not the best player in the world, but she has the potential to become that and would undoubtedly be a significant loss to the NWSL had they not managed to keep her.
They have seen USA stars Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson leave for Chelsea, and in January midfielder Sam Coffey made a high-profile move to Manchester City.
The NWSL had led the way for many years in women's football but the WSL and Mexico's Liga MX Femenil are among those now spending big money on player transfer fees and wages.
Barcelona boast the two players who have scooped the past five Ballon d'Or awards - Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas - but the club has financial strains.
US billionaire and multi-club owner Kang is investing heavily in her clubs - Lyon, Washington and London City Lionesses - meaning salaries are only going to increase across the global women's football landscape.
