Trinity Rodman becomes the highest-paid footballer in the world

“Highest paid female soccer player in the world,” wrote Rodman’s agent Mike Senkowski of the Upper 90 Sports Group on Instagram alongside a photo collage of the striker. This also makes Rodman the player in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) with the largest paycheck. Previously, three-time world footballer Aitana Bonmatí from FC Barcelona was considered the highest-paid footballer in the world. The agreement with Rodman, the 2024 Olympic champion, is one of the “most significant contracts in the NWSL and in women’s football worldwide,” said the club statement.

“I think this is a monumental and groundbreaking moment. I can’t even put into words how it feels. Of course everyone will have their own opinion on it, but I never really cared about that,” Rodman said.

Rodman complains about the contract

The contract of the offensive player, who is currently the biggest star in the NWSL, expired on December 31, 2025. She is said to have had several high-paying offers from abroad. Because of the NWSL’s salary cap of $3.5 million per team, Washington was unable to compete.

That’s why Washington and Rodman agreed on a creative solution at the end of November: a four-year contract that would have allowed her to earn significantly more at the end of the contract. League commissioner Jessica Berman rejected the deal because, in her view, it violated the spirit of the rules. The league also accused Rodman of intentionally circumventing the salary cap.

Rodman and the players’ union NWSLPA sued. In order not to lose their flagship to Europe, the league board introduced the so-called Rodman rule. The High Impact Player Rule is an exception to the salary cap provisions. It allows member clubs to exceed the salary limit if players meet certain criteria based on their individual market attractiveness. (