With Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Denver as the three finalist cities competing for the league’s newest franchise, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is aiming to expand the game’s reach.During her speech in Kansas City, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman promised further developments in the upcoming weeks, according to cleveland.com. Together with Boston’s BOS Nation FC, the selected city will welcome its franchise in 2026.
With an ambitious pledge that boasts over 15,000 season ticket commitments and displays the city’s obsession with sports, as demonstrated by the fervor during a recent Browns game, Cleveland’s bid, led by the Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG), appears to be racing toward the finish line. Following the announcement, CSG co-founder Michael Murphy told Crain’s Cleveland, “I feel like women’s sports are also in those early innings,” the former president of Gravitas initiatives said, reflecting on the early days of on-demand video in the context of expanding women’s sports initiatives. “We’re thrilled to be named a finalist,” he said. It’s critical that we seize it right now.
Securing a land close to Progressive Field for a 12,500-seat stadium with expandable potential and a training facility proposal on the former Notre Dame College grounds suggests that CSG has done its homework. As Crain’s Cleveland explains, the $150 million stadium concept boasts a hybrid funding strategy that combines owner capital with state and local funds. Cleveland could soon celebrate a major soccer victory if the NWSL selection committee thought their pitch was as strong as their site visit suggested.
Cincinnati steps in with star power as Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark joins the city’s investing ranks, while Cleveland suggests a soccer-focused strategy. Not to be outdone, Denver showcases its MLS pedigree with the Colorado Rapids, the soccer castle’s queen. If it prevails, though, Cleveland’s bid will be flexing its strong backcourt. It is cozy with the wealthy, environmentally aware Rockefeller Foundation and Dan Gilbert’s Rock Entertainment Group. This combination might offer this Midwestern city the advantage it needs to shoot and score in the NWSL’s expansion draft, which is anticipated to be made soon, possibly even before the season begins.
In all three cities, there is a sense of local excitement. After a protracted expansion bidding process, Cleveland has been laying the foundation since 2022, and a final NWSL nod is anticipated in the upcoming weeks. Ahead to the league’s expansion, Berman told ESPN, “When we consider the geographic reach of our nation, we know that a 14-team league is not where we will end up.” This growth indicates a larger objective for women’s sports after the shift and a foothold for potential media deals, so it’s not just about more soccer.According to News5 Cleveland, a substantial investment is expected, with expansion fees possibly approaching $100 million.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
Leave a Reply