Key Highlights
- In 2009, he founded The Equalizer, a women's soccer news outlet, and he previously won a Sports Emmy at NBC Sports and Olympics. EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe National Women's Soccer League Players Association has filed a grievance against the NWSL arguing that the league violated terms of the collective bargaining agreement when it vetoed the Washington Spirit's record-setting contract offer to star forward Trinity Rodman. The NWSLPA filed the grievance on behalf of Rodman on Wednesday, arguing that the league's rejection of the agreed-upon terms between Rodman and the Spirit was a "flagrant violation" of her free agency rights and at least five sections of the CBA. According to the document, which was reviewed by ESPN, the NWSL argued that the agreement between Rodman and Washington violated the "spirit" of the league's competition rules. Rodman and the Washington Spirit recently had agreed to the multiyear contract that would backload compensation in the final seasons, according to the grievance. Sources familiar with the agreement said it was slated to be a four-year deal with escalators that would bring the average compensation to over $1 million annually, which would make it the largest contract in NWSL history. The NWSL also accused Rodman of "salary cap circumvention," according to the grievance. But the players' association argued that the negotiated deal is permissible under the terms of the CBA and within the projected team salary cap for future years. A league spokesperson provided ESPN with the following statement: "Our goal is to ensure that the very best players in the world, including Trinity, continue to call this league home.
- We will do everything we can, utilizing every lever available within our rules to keep Trinity Rodman here."At stake is the future of the NWSL's biggest star and the league's salary cap structure.
- Rodman's previous contract was set to expire at the end of the month, and her impending decision was the focal point around the NWSL and its recent championship match in which she and the Washington Spirit participated. With the NWSLPA's grievance filed, the league has 14 days to sustain or deny it in writing. If it is not resolved within 14 days, a grievance committee consisting of one representative appointed by the league and one by the players' association will review the matter. If that committee cannot resolve the issue, the dispute will go to arbitration (which both parties could jointly agree to proceed to directly). Rodman has played for Washington since being selected by the Spirit with the No.
- 2 pick in 2021 in the now-defunct draft. As a rookie, she helped guide Washington to its first NWSL Championship that season.
- The Spirit lost in the final in 2024 and 2025.