Key Highlights
- I can't even describe in words what it feels like."Bonmati, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2023, 2024 and 2025, was reportedly the highest-earning female player before this news. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRodman's agent claims this multi-million US dollar contract will make her the highest-paid female player in the world from 1 July when the new salary cap amendments in the National Women's Super League (NWSL) come into force. However, sources in Spain argue the highest amount Rodman could receive in line with these amendments, and the conversion to Euros, means Bonmati will remain the best-paid player. In 2025, the salary cap for the NWSL (NWSL) was $3.5m (£2.6m) per team. But the league's board of governors approved a new 'High Impact Player' rule in December, which allowed teams to spend up to $1m (£760,000) over the cap on players that meet certain criteria. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Trinity is a generational player, but more importantly she represents the future of this club and the future of women's soccer," said Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang. Rodman helped Spirit win the NWSL Championship in her debut season in 2021 and was named the NWSL Rookie of the Year. She has won 47 caps for the USA, scoring 11 goals since her debut in 2022. She scored three goals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the USA won gold. Dennis Rodman won five NBA Championships with the Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls.'Spirit had to battle to keep Rodman' - analysisThe future of Rodman was of great interest to Europe's most successful clubs with the potential to pick up a world-class player in the free market. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSerial Women's Super League winners Chelsea were one of the clubs monitoring her situation and were willing to pounce if the solution for Rodman from the NWSL had fallen through. It has been an unprecedented situation in the US with the league and Washington Spirit battling through legalities to try to keep one of their best talents. As part of Rodman's new contract, agent fees and guaranteed bonuses are included in the salary total. It is understood the 2026 base salary cap in the NWSL will still be $3.5m (£2.6m) per team but the $1m (£760,000) threshold for 'high-impact players' to qualify will grow each year at the same rate as the league's base salary cap. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAt the age of 23, Rodman is not the best player in the world, but she has the potential to become that and would undoubtedly be a significant loss to the NWSL had they not managed to keep her. They have seen USA stars Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson leave for Chelsea, and in January midfielder Sam Coffey made a high-profile move to Manchester City. The NWSL had led the way for many years in women's football but the WSL and Mexico's Liga MX Femenil are among those now spending big money on player transfer fees and wages. Barcelona boast the two players who have scooped the past five Ballon d'Or awards - Bonmati and Alexia Putellas - but the club has finan.
