The world of women's sports is abuzz with the news of Trinity Rodman's record-breaking contract with the Washington Spirit of the NWSL. The deal, reportedly worth over $2 million per year, including bonuses, has made her the highest-paid player in the league's history. But here's where it gets controversial: this news comes at a time when WNBA players are in the midst of CBA negotiations that could set an entirely new salary structure. So, how does Rodman's contract compare to current WNBA pay, and what is on the table in these discussions? The truth is, Rodman's NWSL deal far exceeds what any player in the WNBA is making currently. According to Spotrac, Jackie Young of the Las Vegas Aces was the top-paid player in the WNBA in 2025, earning a salary of $252,450 per year. In comparison, Rodman's contract is worth more than four times that amount. And that disparity gets even worse when looking at players who aren't earning the max or are still on rookie deals. For instance, Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who is the biggest name in women's sports, has a salary worth $84,514 per year at this juncture. However, the WNBA is poised for significant salary increases with the new CBA. According to Annie Costabile of Front Office Sports, the offer on the table from the league includes max salaries of over $1.3 million, with average salaries exceeding $530,000, when factoring in revenue sharing. With those numbers jumping to $2 million and $780,000 over the length of the proposed deal, the top WNBA contracts would be closer to and eventually on par with Rodman's. The sticking point in discussions around the WNBA has apparently been the revenue share, as all parties involved are attempting to strike an agreement that best factors in the explosive growth the league has seen over the last two seasons. However, regardless of the way the deal itself ultimately shakes out, WNBA salaries should rise to where they no longer are used as a paltry comparison—since it is only a matter of time before record-breaking deals are signed, assuming a CBA can be agreed upon. So, while Rodman's contract is currently a record-breaker, the future of WNBA salaries looks bright, and the gap between the two leagues may soon be narrowed.
