Finally, the nightmare scenarios can end and we can reset the doomsday clock. The Washington Spirit have announced that Trinity Rodman has signed a new deal that will keep her at the club through the 2028 season.
The announcement was held at BMO Stadium with Rodman coming down from USWNT camp in Carson, CA to attend the event. Washington blasted a ‘special announcement’ to media and fans, noting that club owner Michele Kang and new president of soccer operations Haley Carter would be speaking. Joining them on the stage as the event kicked off was Kim Stone, CEO of the Washington Spirit Speculation ran a bit rampant, but the timing and location gave everyone a pretty good idea of what was to come.
After a few somewhat awkward minutes of chatting about the club, club infrastructure and whatnot, Michele Kang said, “Trinity Rodman has agreed to a three-year contract to remain with the Spirit.”
Trinity Rodman kept it simple, saying, “It feels amazing. I’m very happy, and I’m very blessed.”
The deal eases the minds and hearts of Spirit fans, and serves as a counter to big name players exiting the NWSL in recent months. Of course, the league itself did not make it easy. The first contract offer Rodman agreed to in December was vetoed by commissioner Jessica Berman, and a grievance filed by the NWSLPA is still ongoing.
With Rodman a free agent as of December 31, 2025, and listed as ‘unattached’ when Emma Hayes announced the January USWNT roster, the NWSL was playing a dangerous game. The entire ordeal ending with Rodman staying in the league, when the simplest option would have been to accept one of the many other offers sent her way, is testament to what’s being built in Washington, DC and Audi Field, specifically.
Since joining the Spirit as a teenager, Rodman has steadily developed as a player and become a globally recognized superstar for her talent on the pitch, and charisma on and off the pitch as well. Despite admitting in an ESPN interview last year that she would ‘kick herself’ if she never played in Europe, the big clubs on the other side of the Atlantic will have to wait.
Finally. Welcome back, Trin.
I have to admit–I’m surprised. I thought the inability of the NWSL owners to do the smart thing and then the suit by the players because they thought they hadn’t been consulted on the change to the compensation was going to lead Trin to eventually give in and sign a deal overseas. When the Spirit signed the Paraguayan for big bucks (Claudia Martinez), I thought that was damage control for Rodman leaving. Wow this is good news.
Huzzah
For me it makes total sense for Trin. She (reportedly) becomes the highest paid womens player in the world. She is staying in the local league for the 2028 Olympics (marketing opportunities will abound). She stays buddy buddy with a billionaire, Kang.
This is good for the league. They still have work to do on the salary cap and fairness.