United States forward Trinity Rodman has become the world’s highest-paid female footballer after signing a new three-year contract with Washington Spirit, with her agent confirming the deal, reportedly worth about $2m (£1.5m) per year including bonuses, will keep the 23-year-old with the National Women’s Soccer League club until 2028, following the expiration of her previous contract on 31 December, as agent Mike Senkowski told ESPN the agreement makes Rodman the highest earner in the women’s game, a development the player described as “a monumental and game-changing moment,” adding, “It feels amazing. I’m very happy. I’m very blessed,” while noting she could not “even describe in words what it feels like,” with the deal made possible under the NWSL’s newly approved ‘High Impact Player’ rule that allows teams to exceed the salary cap by up to $1m for qualifying players, surpassing previous reported earnings of Barcelona midfielder and multiple Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmati, as Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang praised Rodman as “a generational player” who represents “the future of this club and the future of women’s soccer,” with Rodman having played a key role since being drafted in 2021, helping Spirit win the NWSL Championship in her debut season, earning Rookie of the Year honours, collecting 47 caps and 11 goals for the United States, and scoring three goals at the Paris 2024 Olympics where the USA won gold, further underlining her growing influence in a global women’s football landscape where salaries and competition for elite talent continue to rise.
