NWSLPA files grievance against league in Trinity Rodman contract offer - ESPN

The National Women's Soccer League Players Association has filed a grievance against the NWSL arguing that the league violated terms of the collective bargaining agreement when it vetoed the Washington Spirit's record-setting contract offer to star forward Trinity Rodman.

The NWSLPA filed the grievance on behalf of Rodman on Wednesday, arguing that the NWSL's rejection of the agreed-upon terms between Rodman and the Spirit was a «flagrant violation» of Rodman's free agency rights and at least five sections of the CBA.

According to the document, which was reviewed by ESPN, the NWSL argued that the agreement between Rodman and Washington violated the «spirit» of the league's competition rules.

Rodman and the Washington Spirit recently had agreed to a multi-year contract that would backload compensation in the final years of her contract, according to the grievance.

Sources familiar with the agreement said that it was slated to be a four-year deal with escalators that would bring the average compensation to over $1 million annually over the duration of the deal, which would be the largest contract in NWSL history.

The NWSL also accused Rodman of «salary cap circumvention,» according to the grievance.

But the players association argues that the negotiated deal is permissible under the terms of the CBA and within the projected team salary cap for future years.

A league spokesperson provided ESPN with the following statement: «Our goal is to ensure that the very best players in the world, including Trinity, continue to call this league home. We will do everything we can, utilizing every lever available within our rules to keep Trinity Rodman here.»

At stake is the future of the NWSL's biggest star and the league's salary cap