SAN JOSE, Calif. — NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said Thursday that teh NWSL is prepared to do what it takes to keep Washington Spirit and United States forward Trinity Rodman in the league.
“We want Trinity in our league and we will fight for her,” Berman said in her annual State of the League address.
ESPN reported last Saturday that Rodman has received multiple offers from England. A source with knowledge of the contract talks concerning Rodman confirmed to ESPN that the Spirit forward also has an offer on the table from a team in the USL Super League that is worth far more than what the NWSL can match.
The highest known annual salary in the NWSL is for Portland Thorns FC forward Sophia Wilson which she signed in March of 2024.
Rodman told reporters on thursday that she will decide on her future after Saturday’s NWSL Championship, where the Spirit play Gotham FC.
“Genuinely speaking, I’ve made no decisions,” Rodman said. “Yeah, there could be conversations being had, but right now I am so excited to be representing the Spirit. I’m not even thinking of when my last game will be. I just want to win it and then we’ll see.”
The push to sign Rodman comes amid a broader discussion about increasing the NWSL salary cap.There
NWSL Commissioner Discusses Player Compensation and League Growth Amid Trinity Rodman Contract Situation
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman recently addressed player compensation and the league’s overall value proposition, notably considering discussions surrounding Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman’s contract.Berman emphasized the league’s commitment to attracting and retaining top talent while acknowledging the need to balance investment across various areas, including training facilities, stadiums, and player salaries.
“And so when we go through that process of reviewing the overall ecosystem and the value proposition that we’re offering to top talent and to our players, and we’re looking at the amount being invested in training facilities, in stadiums, in compensation for players, we have to look at it in the context of where our business is at,” Berman stated.
Berman highlighted that compensation isn’t the sole deciding factor for players choosing to play in the NWSL. She outlined what the league refers to as the “four Cs” – competition, compensation, club infrastructure, and coaching – as key elements players consider. “When you look at those four Cs…we believe that we are putting forth a very compelling value proposition to be able to attract, retain and develop top talent.”
Rodman herself responded to Berman’s public statement of support, expressing gratitude while maintaining a focus on her current performance. “I started and got drafted in this league,” Rodman said. “So, it’s created such an amazing soccer player in myself. It’s brought out a lot of things. I’ve learned a lot. This league has grown every single year, so obviously I’m honored to have her say that.” She added, with a laugh, that she didn’t want to feel “trapped” by the expectation that she remain with the NWSL, but reiterated her focus on the present.
Washington Spirit goalkeeper Kaylie Collins,a player representative with the NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA),voiced support for increasing the league’s salary cap. “I think personally and across the PA, we’ve really homed in on the fact that in order to compete, that is really the only option,” Collins said. “I think we’re looking at a lot of things right now where obviously there’s a lot of competition and I think the league has constantly said that we want to be the best league in the world, and in order to do that, there’s really only one option.”
The discussion around player compensation comes as Rodman continues to recover from a knee injury sustained in October during a Concacaf W Champions cup match.She has seen limited playing time in the playoffs as she works her way back to full health.
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