The NWSL Players’ Association filed a grievance on behalf of Trinity Rodman after what would have been a record-setting four-year contract to stay with the Washington Spirit was reportedly vetoed by league commissioner Jessica Berman.
The NWSLPA claims the contract offer was within the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. According to ESPN, the league determined the contract offer violated the “spirit” of the league’s fair competition rules.
While exact financial terms have not been reported, indications are that the latter seasons of the four-year deal would take the contract well over an average of $1 million per season. It was set to be the largest contract in NWSL history.
“If they can mess with Trinity Rodman’s free agency rights, they can mess with anyone’s.” NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke said to The Athletic. “And we won’t stand for that.”
The NWSLPA alleges the league violated as many as five sections of the CBA, The Athletic reported.
While the move to veto the contract would seem to be a snub toward one of the league’s best and most recognizable players, the NWSL said otherwise.
“Our goal is to ensure that the very best players in the world, including Trinity, continue to call this league home,” the NWSL said in a statement to ESPN. “We will do everything we can, utilizing every lever available within our rules to keep Trinity Rodman here.”
Rodman, 23, has played five seasons with the Spirit and just completed a four-year, $1.1 million contract as Washington reached the NWSL finals before losing in each of the past two seasons.
In her five NWSL seasons, Rodman has scored 33 goals with 21 assists in 109 games (94 starts) across all competitions. She scored five goals with two assists in 15 games (nine starts) this past season.
–Field Level Media
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