Washington Spirit “All In” On Re-Signing Trinity Rodman Despite Salary Cap Standoff
The Washington Spirit are pushing hard to keep star forward Trinity Rodman, with General Manager Nathan Minion confirming that negotiations are ongoing “pretty much daily” as the club tries to navigate a restrictive NWSL salary cap.
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“I think everyone’s trying to work together to get a deal in place,” Minion told reporters.
“The league is committed to working with us, and we’re committed to working with them.”
Washington’s efforts hit a major roadblock last week when the NWSL vetoed the club’s multi-million dollar contract offer to Rodman — a move that prompted the NWSL Players Association to file a grievance accusing the league of violating Rodman’s free agency rights.
Newly appointed President of Soccer Operations Haley Carter acknowledged the structural challenges facing teams trying to keep elite talent in the league.
“Our current salary cap structure was built for a different era of women’s soccer,” Carter said.
“We’re going to need mechanisms that allow NWSL clubs to compete for not only players from overseas, but our own players.”
Carter emphasized the Spirit’s commitment to Rodman but noted that long-term success requires investment beyond wages.
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“I would love to just toss the salary cap out the window and pay the players,” she said. “But we also have to appreciate that, pragmatically, it isn’t always payroll that’s going to keep our athletes here. It’s investment in other things as well.”
Rodman — one of the NWSL’s most marketable and electrifying talents — is at the center of a growing debate over player freedom, league regulations, and the future of financial investment in women’s football.
Washington’s determination to retain her underscores both her value and the pressure on the NWSL to modernize its competitive and economic framework.
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