The NWSL is at a crossroads. As the league and the Washington Spirit hash out the ways to keep Trinity Rodman, a new era of superstar spending, salary cap rules and competition with the global market could be on the horizon.

On this edition of Full Time, host Meg Linehan is joined by The Athletic's senior writers Paul Tenorio and John Hollinger to reflect on how other U.S. sports leagues have handled rethinking their rules in order to keep superstars and what the NWSL needs to learn from those examples.

Is an MLS-style designated player rule something to be embraced or avoided? Why does the NWSL need to think differently about its global market when compared to the NBA? Why could Rodman's next contract similarly change everything like Olivia Moultrie's case against the league did in 2021?

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HOST: Meg Linehan

GUESTS: Paul Tenorio, John Hollinger

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

Tobin Heath clip credit: 'A Touch More Live presented by Delta, Google Pixel, and Volkswagen (Vox Media)'

Link to that show is here

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Referenced on the show:

NWSL said it would fight for Trinity Rodman. It’s only fighting with itself

NWSL can’t keep Trinity Rodman and its current salary cap. It’s up to the league to choose

Trinity Rodman receives contract from Super League team larger than NWSL can match: Sources

Trinity Rodman negotiations explained: Why did NWSL reject the Spirit’s offer and what’s next?

Teen soccer phenom Olivia Moultrie sues NWSL for right to play in league

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

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The NWSL is at risk of losing one of its biggest superstars. But what exactly is holding back the Washington Spirit from re-signing Trinity Rodman?

On Monday's edition Full Time, host Jillian Sakovits is joined by The Athletic's Meg Linehan to break down the ongoing contract saga that unfolded last week. Why hasn't the NWSL accepted the Spirit's proposed offer to Rodman? Why is the NWSL players' association filing a grievance against the NWSL on Rodman's behalf? Is the Spirit breaking any salary cap rules with their offer to Rodman? Could Rodman head to Europe?

PLUS: Tamerra Griffin checks in from World Sevens Football in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where the San Diego Wave took home the title, $2 million and the tournament continued to grab headlines for its ability to create joy and viral soccer moments. And, in the English Women's Super League, Chelsea's 34-match and 585-day undefeated streak finally came to an end with an unlikely 1-0 home defeat to Everton.

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HOST: Jillian Sakovits

GUESTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Referenced on the show:

The WSL title race has some juice in it

NWSL can’t keep Trinity Rodman and its current salary cap. It’s up to the league to choose

Trinity Rodman receives contract from Super League team larger than NWSL can match: Sources

San Diego Wave swag surf their way to $2 million prize at World Sevens

Trinity Rodman negotiations explained: Why did NWSL reject the Spirit’s offer and what’s next?

Everton end Chelsea’s 34-match Women’s Super League unbeaten run with 1-0 win

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a very special episode of the Full Time podcast, hosts Tamerra Griffin and Meg Linehan are on the podcast together for the final time in 2025.

To commemorate the occasion, Tamerra and Meg rank their Top 3 moments of 2025 while also ranking the three things they are most hyped about coming up in 2026. After that, the duo answers listeners' questions in one last mailbag to close out the season. From holiday movies that need soccer players in them to future NWSL Championship destinations, you don't want to miss this one.

PLUS: Tamerra and Meg delve into the major NWSL news of the week, which saw Haley Carter join the Washington Spirit as their new President of Soccer Operations, and pressure intensifies on Trinity Rodman's future with the team.

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Referenced on the show

Spirit hires Haley Carter to lead strategic vision and help retain top talent like Trinity Rodman

Copa América Femenina, WAFCON showcase their potential – and a need for more support

Marta won’t exit quietly from NWSL playoffs after Orlando Pride loss: ‘It should not end like this’

Jaedyn Shaw free kick sends No. 8 Gotham FC to NWSL championship with win over Pride

Euro 2025: How ‘small’ Switzerland came to host a tournament that could spark ‘cultural change’

Germany named 2029 women’s European Championship hosts

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HOSTS: Tamerra Griffin, Meg Linehan

PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes

VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen

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Get in touch: ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠

Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime

Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub ⁠⁠here

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.