Trinity Rodman, the Washington Spirit forward and highest-paid player in women’s football, spent the 2026 US Open supporting her partner, professional tennis player Ben Shelton, during his tournament run, which included a match against Carlos Alcaraz. Rodman’s visible presence in the stands highlighted a pairing between two prominent American athletes as Shelton competed on the New York hardcourts.
Record-Breaking Contract with the Washington Spirit
Rodman’s courtside appearance at Flushing Meadows follows a historic offseason move in club soccer. According to her agent, Mike Senkowski, the 23-year-old forward signed a three-year contract extension with the Washington Spirit that makes her the highest-paid player in world football, surpassing USD 2 million annually with bonuses included. The agreement was officially unveiled at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, where Rodman appeared alongside club owner Michele Kang and president of soccer operations Haley Carter.
The deal utilizes the NWSL’s roster mechanism known as the “regla Rodman” which allows clubs to exceed the league salary cap for high-impact players. This financial milestone places Rodman ahead of other global stars, such as three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, who earns approximately USD 1,1 million at Barcelona, according to reports in the U.S. press. Reflecting on the historic agreement, Rodman stated, “Me siento increíble, estoy muy feliz, me siento muy afortunada. Creo que es un momento crucial y decisivo.”
Since debuting with Washington in 2021 and winning the league title, Rodman has accumulated 120 club appearances with 36 goals and 23 assists. Internationally, she has earned 34 caps with the United States national team, scoring 12 goals and providing 10 assists, highlighted by a gold medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her professional path follows a recovery from back and knee injuries that sidelined her for over four months in 2025, after which she returned to help the Spirit reach the NWSL final.
Athletic Lineage and Personal Life in the Spotlight
As the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman and Michelle Moyer, Trinity has navigated media scrutiny since entering the national team at age 19. Her athletic background extends across her family; her brother, DJ Rodman, plays basketball in the NBA G League. Despite public attention surrounding her family name, Rodman has maintained that external opinions do not alter her career focus. “Obviamente todos tendrán sus pensamientos y opiniones, pero nunca me ha importado demasiado eso, y no cambia nada para mí,” she noted, emphasizing her intent to build an independent legacy that expands opportunities for younger athletes.

Outside of club and international commitments, Rodman’s relationship with Ben Shelton became public knowledge in March 2025. Throughout the US Open, she maintained a visible presence in Shelton’s player box, supporting the American tennis player through rounds on tour. The relationship brings together two figures from distinct sectors of American sports as both athletes manage international competition schedules.
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