NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman insists the league “will fight” to keep Trinity Rodman, after the Washington Spirit star received a large contract offer from a club in the rival Gainbridge Super League.
Washington Spirit star Trinity Rodman has contract offer from DC Power
The Athletic have reported that Trinity Rodman has received a contract offer from Gainbridge Super League side DC Power.
It’s claimed that the offer is significantly larger than what the Washington Spirit or NWSL can offer under current salary cap limitations.
The Gainbridge Super League operates at the highest level of the United States soccer league system, alongside the NWSL. It was built without a salary cap or a player draft, allowing clubs independence during the roster-building process.
Rodman has struggled to come to terms on a new deal with Washington Spirit, who will compete in the NWSL Championship final against Gotham FC on Saturday night.
Reports have claimed that it could be her last game for the franchise, with her contract set to expire next month.
Rodman is also attracting interest from clubs in the Women’s Super League and across Europe.
NWSL will fight to keep hold of Trinity Rodman
NWSL commissioner Berman attempted to dispel concerns about the league’s salary cap and outside interest in Rodman.
At a press conference she said: “Specifically, as it relates to Trinity and candidly, any other top player in the world, we want those top players here in the NWSL and particularly, we want Trinity in the NWSL and we will fight for her and we are excited to see her compete in the championship on Saturday.
While Berman admits that compensation matters, she insists players also think about more than just what clubs are paying them.
She said: “I go and sit with the players on every single team in the NWSL every season and they tell me that yes, compensation matters but they also think about compensation not just from the perspective of what their club is paying them.
“We also know that our market here in the U.S. has more interest in supporting female athletes and women sports than any other market in the world and then there’s all the other components outside of compensation, which I referenced earlier, the other three Css, which is the competition, the club and the coaching.
“If you’re a player who wants to be performing at your best and wants to be valued and supported and feel like you have the opportunity to train in a best-in-class environment with the best-in-class league, that the NWSL is the place for you.”
What is the NWSL salary cap?
The NWSL operates with a hard salary cap which is set at $3.3 million (£2.5m) per team for the 2026 season.
This number is expected to surpass the $5m (£3.8m) mark by the 2030 season.
By contrast, Europe’s top earning players reportedly command up to $1.1m (£835,000) in comparison.
