On January 22nd, 2026 Trinity Rodman signed a new 3 year contract with the Washington Spirit making her the highest- paid female soccer player in the world. This contract is set to go throughout the 2028 season making itself one of the most significant deals in NWSL history. This contract is set to make her 2 million dollars a year including bonuses. This contract was only allowed to happen because of the NWSL’s new High Impact Player rule which allowed teams to exceed the 2026 salary cap up to 1 million for elite players. This is a significant step forward for all women’s soccer players campaigning for better and more equal pay. 

For years, women soccer players have been petitioning and fighting for better and more equal pay. This began in 206 with an EEOC complaint and escalated into a lawsuit in 2019. This resulted in a landmark victory in their fight for equal pay. They reached a 24 million dollar settlement with the US Soccer Federation in 2022. This agreement includes identical pay, bonuses, and working conditions. It also includes shared World Cup prize money. This deal was the end of a very long gender- discrimination battle in women’s soccer. 

The Trinity Rodman deal was a huge accomplishment for Trinity becoming the highest paid women’s soccer player in the world. However, it was also a huge step forward for all women’s soccer players. Changing rules and allowing women more opportunities with contracts and negotiations opens up the doors for many other female athletes to speak out for their pay. It was a much needed win for female athletes in the long-going battle for equal pay.