Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Whip Emily Randall (WA-06), Reproductive Freedom Task Force Co-Chair and Liaison Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and DWC member Kathy Castor (FL-14) led 39 DWC members and House Democrats in a letter to the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expressing serious concern about their decision to reject the Washington Spirit’s contract agreement with Trinity Rodman. The National Women's Soccer League Players Association (NWSLPA) asserts that the rejection of the contract violates their collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and infringes on free agency rights . Congress maintains an oversight responsibility to ensure employers comply with federal labor law, including the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which codifies the policy of the United States to promote and protect collective bargaining.

Fair treatment of Rodman is not only essential for her case, but for the precedent it sets and for confidence in the NWSL’s governance. All women—including women athletes—deserve fair pay and to be treated well at work.

In their letter, the Members explained the historic nature of the NWSL’s CBA:

“Following years of advocacy from players and communities, the most recent CBA reached between the NWSL and the NWSLPA marked a historic step forward for women’s sports. It established critical labor protections, including unrestricted free agency, salary minimums, training standards, and more. These gains reflect the value and professionalism of the athletes who drive the NWSL’s success. Any action that appears to narrow, reinterpret, or delay the implementation of these hard-fought rights raises significant oversight concerns, as the failure to honor the terms of the CBA is intertwined with compliance with federal labor law and with preserving the integrity of the negotiating process itself.”

The Members also underscored the importance of the NWSL making sure federal labor law & its landmark CBA is honored in practice:

“We recognize the NWSL’s responsibility to maintain competitive balance and uphold standards. However, clarity, consistency, and adherence to the CBA are essential. This is not only for Ms. Rodman’s case, but for the precedent it sets and for confidence in the NWSL’s governance. A landmark CBA is meaningful only if its provisions are honored in practice. Women athletes must know that the rights negotiated and secured are both clear and enforceable.”

The Members concluded by urging the NWSL to work with the NWSLPA and Rodman to promptly resolve the matter:

“The rise in support for women’s sports and women athletes has been remarkable, yet the treatment and recognition of women athletes still lags behind. The NWSL has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership by ensuring fairness, honoring the commitments made through the CBA, and reinforcing trust among players, owners, and fans. We believe that resolving this matter promptly and in accordance with both the CBA and federal labor law will benefit all parties and strengthen women’s sports and women athletes' continued success. Given Congress’s oversight responsibilities, we request regular updates on progress toward resolving this matter.”

Read the full letter here.

In addition to letter leads Emily Randall, Ayanna Pressley, and Kathy Castor, the letter was signed by Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Marilyn Strickland, Joyce Beatty, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Lateefah Simon, Rashida Tlaib, Jennifer L. McClellan, Sylvia R. Garcia, Suzanne Bonamici, Norma J. Torres, Katherine M. Clark, Mary Gay Scanlon, Doris Matsui, Danny K. Davis, Betty McCollum, Jonathan L. Jackson, Frederica S. Wilson, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Julia Brownley, Becca Balint, Hillary J. Scholten, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Debbie Dingell, Lori Trahan, Julie Johnson, Jan Schakowsky, Kelly Morrison, Teresa Leger Fernández, Suzan K. DelBene, Summer L. Lee, Greg Stanton, Emilia Strong Sykes, Deborah K. Ross, Nydia M. Velázquez, Val Hoyle, and Ro Khanna.

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