Ben Shelton knows exactly what pressure looks like in professional sports, but even he is watching Trinity Rodman’s current situation with admiration. Rodman, a forward for the Washington Spirit, finds herself in the middle of a high-stakes contract dispute after the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) rescinded a multi-million dollar offer from her team, effectively making her a free agent.
What Did Ben Shelton Say About Trinity Rodman’s Contract Battle?
Rodman and Shelton, who made their relationship public in March 2025, have both had massive years in their respective sports. Rodman plays for the United States national team and the Washington Spirit, racking up accolades that include a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, an NWSL Championship, and Rookie of the Year honors.
Her contract with the Washington Spirit expires at the end of December 2025. While European clubs have reportedly made lucrative offers, the Spirit attempted to keep their star by putting a deal on the table that averaged over $1 million per year.
The NWSL blocked that contract, however, stating it violated league rules. The NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) responded by filing a grievance against the league for rejecting the deal.
In a recent interview with Front Office Sports, Shelton was asked about Rodman’s conflict with the league. He pointed out that she is “used to” navigating complex business situations, having managed various agreements for both off-field brand deals and on-field contracts.
“She’s been through a lot of different things, contracts, whether it’s off-field brand deals or on-the-field contracts with different teams and clubs. It’s something that she’s used to,” Shelton said.
How Is Rodman Handling the Pressure?
The former World No. 5 said Rodman is handling the dispute “pretty well” and trusts her judgment regarding her next career move.
“She has a pretty good handle on it and obviously we talk like every couple, and we support each other and we’re close to each other and helping every way we can when these things are going on. But she has full confidence in herself to make the right decisions and know what she wants to do with her career,” he added.
On the court, Shelton wrapped up his 2025 campaign after competing in the ATP Finals. It was a breakout year, during which he won the 2025 Canadian Open, finished as the runner-up at the BMW Open in Munich, and reached the semifinals at the Australian Open, the BOSS Open, and the Citi DC Open. He also made quarterfinal runs at the Indian Wells Masters, Wimbledon, Cincinnati Open, and Paris Masters.
Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Shelton will start his year at the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. His best finish there came in 2024, when he reached the semifinals before falling to Taro Daniel.
