Trinity Rodman’s Future with Washington Spirit Remains Uncertain Amid European Interest
Trinity Rodman, a forward for the United States national team, faces an uncertain future with the Washington Spirit as she weighs lucrative opportunities from overseas. This uncertainty casts a shadow over her potential last home game during Saturday’s NWSL semifinal at Audi Field.
With her contract expiring next month, Rodman has attracted interest from European clubs since the summer. Earlier this year, she expressed to ESPN’s Futbol W that playing abroad had always been a consideration for her career and that timing was the only factor in making that leap.
Negotiations aimed at keeping Rodman in Washington have stalled, primarily due to the constraints imposed by the league’s salary cap.
The Spirit, along with other NWSL teams, struggle to compete financially for Rodman under the current salary cap of $3.5 million per team for a maximum of 26 players. Rodman’s agent has reportedly engaged in direct discussions with NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman to explore solutions.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Rodman has received significant offers from foreign clubs, particularly in England, which are not bound by any salary cap restrictions. This allows these teams to propose salaries far exceeding those available in the NWSL.
Rodman, who is 23 years old, stands out as one of the league’s most prominent stars. She recently made her return from a one-month absence due to a sprained MCL, playing as a late substitute in Washington’s 2-0 semifinal victory over the Portland Thorns, leading them to their second consecutive NWSL championship.
An NWSL spokesperson commented, “The salary cap has seen substantial increases over the last five years and is crucial for our competitive model. We’re fully committed to finding ways to retain Trinity in the NWSL, as she is a talented player and vital to our league.”
The salary cap is projected to rise to $5.1 million by 2030, in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement signed last year. The NWSL’s recent growth includes plans for significant increases from 2026 to 2027, as the limitation on team-provided housing is lifted and players are anticipated to be compensated more directly.
Modifications to the cap could occur under the current CBA, allowing for base salary increases tied to revenue. Discussions are ongoing about potentially establishing a rule that would allow marquee players to be compensated outside of the salary cap, similar to Major League Soccer’s Designated Player rule.
While discussions about such changes continue, sources indicate that there are no imminent plans to implement new rules regarding cap-exempt players. Such a major shift would necessitate approval from both Berman and the league’s Board of Governors, which includes team owners.
Moreover, the NWSL recently lost another promising player, Alyssa Thompson, to English champions Chelsea, who secured her services with a $1.4 million transfer fee and an attractive salary, as confirmed by multiple sources. In a landmark deal, Naomi Girma from the US Women’s National Team made a move from San Diego Wave FC to Chelsea for the first-ever million-dollar transfer in women’s soccer earlier this year.
In response to inquiries about potential salary cap increases or new compensation rules, Berman emphasized the NWSL’s value proposition that goes beyond mere salary considerations, noting the complexities involved in players’ decisions regarding their careers.
“We are constantly evaluating our entire ecosystem and monitoring player movements to maintain a competitive edge,” Berman stated. “While the salary cap is a point of focus, the factors influencing where players choose to play are varied. Our confidence in the value we provide to players is strong, and we aim to continue attracting and retaining elite talent.”
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