Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman and Spirit owner Michele Kang have been named to TIME’s inaugural TIME100 Sports list, recognizing 100 of the most influential people shaping the global sports landscape.
Rodman, who joined the Spirit in 2021, has become one of the biggest stars in women’s soccer. She was named NWSL Rookie of the Year, helped lead Washington to its first NWSL Championship, and has since established herself as one of the league’s premier players. The U.S. Women’s National Team standout was also a finalist for the Ballon d’Or Féminin twice and played a key role in the United States’ gold medal run at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Earlier this year, Rodman made headlines by re-signing with Washington on one of the most financially significant contracts in NWSL history. She was previously recognized by TIME in 2022 when she was named to the TIME100 Next list.
Kang, who became the Spirit’s majority owner before the 2022 season, has overseen a period of significant growth for the club. Under her leadership, Washington has reached back-to-back NWSL Championship matches while setting club records in attendance, revenue, and brand growth.
The Spirit also became just the fourth women’s soccer club in the world to average more than 15,000 fans per home match over a full season. Kang has invested heavily in staffing, facilities, and player resources while helping position the organization as a destination for top talent both on and off the field. She was previously named to TIME’s Philanthropy 100 list in 2025.
The inaugural TIME100 Sports list will appear in TIME’s June 22 issue.
