Sophia Smith on Wednesday became the latest NWSL star to sign a new deal, becoming the league’s highest-paid player.
The Portland Thorns announced that they had agreed to terms with Smith on a deal that will keep the 23-year-old with them through the 2025 season, with a player option for 2026. ESPN reports that the deal contains the highest average annual value in the league.
The deal apparently won’t challenge the record for largest contract by total value, which has been broken several times this season. Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Swanson, Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda have all reportedly signed deals between $2 million and $2.5 million.
From the statement of the Thorns:
“We are over the moon that Soph will commit to the Thorns again. She is a proven, world-class talent and we are excited to contribute to the team’s continued success,” said Head Coach Mike Norris. “We look forward to working with her in a Thorns jersey as she continues to shine as one of the best strikers in the world.”
In just four professional seasons, Smith has become not only the face of the Thorns, but a foundational star for the NWSL. She has led the Thorns to five trophies since joining the team – the 2022 NWSL Championship, the 2021 NWSL Shield, the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, the 2022 Community Shield and the 2021 Women’s International Champions Cup – while being the league’s MVP and won the championship game MVP in 2022.
They opened this season with a brace against the Kansas City Current on March 16, but the Thorns ultimately lost 5-4.
Smith is also already one of the top players in the USWNT, with 16 goals in 44 appearances. She is one of the stars in the next generation of the national team, although questions will haunt the group until it manages to overcome last year’s World Cup disappointment.
