Ben Shelton’s girlfriend Trinity Rodman’s future in professional soccer remains uncertain after the NWSL rejected a lucrative contract proposal from the Washington Spirit. In an interview with CBS Mornings, the 23-year-old’s agent outlined why the league’s decision has forced the team and player to explore alternatives both domestically and internationally.
Trinity Rodman’s Agent Mike Senkowski Told CBS Mornings About the Rejected Deal
Mike Senkowski, Rodman’s agent, appeared on CBS Mornings to discuss the rejected four-year deal and the broader implications of the NWSL’s decision to block it. He explained the effort his team had put into crafting an agreement that would benefit both the player and the league.
“We worked really hard to put together an agreement that we felt complied with the CBA and would keep Trinity in the league for the foreseeable future,” he said.
The rejection raised questions about which specific rule the deal violated. When pressed by the league for clarity, the answer was revealing. “When we pressed the league office for a response as to the reasoning as to why they would reject it, as to which rule it violated, the answer is that there isn’t any rule that it violated. It’s against the spirit of the rules,” Senkowski explained.
He also addressed how teams manage finances within the NWSL framework. “There is no maximum salary within the collective bargaining agreement of the NWSL. You know, some teams use transfer fees, you know, restructuring contracts, you know, all of those things to get to their salary cap,” he noted, highlighting the flexibility available to teams operating within the league’s constraints.
When discussing Rodman’s emotional response to the rejection, Senkowski was direct. “She’s disappointed, right? She really wanted to go back and play in DC in front of the fans, continue to work with Michelle Kang, and be a part of the league,” he stated.
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However, the salary cap limitations have created a difficult position. “With no certain way to get her her fair market value within the NWSL, naturally, that forces you and encourages you to look elsewhere,” Senkowski explained, indicating that the constraints make it impossible for any NWSL team to pay Rodman what she believes her talents are worth.
Rodman’s Options Beyond the NWSL
Rodman’s contract with the Washington Spirit expired at the end of the 2025 NWSL season, making her a free agent. The Spirit attempted to retain her with a four-year deal reportedly worth more than one million dollars annually, but the NWSL rejected it, citing salary cap concerns. The league’s salary cap currently sits at $3.5 million for the 2026 season and is scheduled to rise to $5.1 million by 2030. The NWSLPA filed a grievance against the league, arguing the proposal was technically compliant with the CBA and that the rejection violated Rodman’s free agency rights.
Beyond the domestic landscape, Rodman has attracted significant interest from multiple organisations. Multiple teams in England’s Women’s Super League have reportedly expressed interest in signing her, capitalising on the fact that European leagues operate without salary cap restrictions. Naomi Girma transferred to Chelsea from San Diego Wave in November 2024 in a reported million-dollar transfer, while Alyssa Thompson moved to Chelsea in September 2025 in what was valued at approximately 1.4 million dollars.
Within the United States, DC Power of the USL Super League has also made an offer to Rodman that reportedly exceeds what any NWSL team can provide under current salary cap restrictions. The Super League operates without a salary cap, allowing teams to make significant investments in star players.
