Denver awarded sixteenth NWSL franchise, paying document $110m

January 3 – Denver has overwhelmed off bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati to develop into the Nationwide Ladies’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) sixteenth group, paying a document $110 million for the franchise.

The Denver group will debut within the 2026 season alongside a brand new Boston franchise that paid $53 million in 2023 for his or her league place. Bay FC, who debuted within the 2024 season, additionally paid $53 million for his or her franchise slot.

The Denver price can also be the biggest ever paid for a brand new girls’s sports activities franchise within the US.

The NWSL had entered into unique negotiations with IMA Monetary Group and its CEO Robert Cohen, on the finish of December. Cohen is predicted to supply the majority of the financing, and can function controlling proprietor.

The funding group additionally contains an entity referred to as For Denver FC, made up by Ben Hubbard, the CEO of insurance coverage firm Parsyl, and Tom Dunmore, a former exec with USL aspect Indy Eleven and till just lately the vp of selling for Main League Cricket. Phos CEO Nicole Glaros and former NWSL participant and broadcaster Jordan Angeli are additionally concerned.

The possession group mentioned it plans to construct a soccer-specific stadium for the group however earlier than its completion will play in a short lived venue.

Denver’s successful bid noticed off very aggressive submissions from Cleveland and Cincinnati who late within the bid course of added girls’s basketball sensation Caitlin Clark to their possession group. A season in the past Clarke was taking part in faculty basketball and has now completed her first pro-season with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, breaking a number of league data alongside the way in which.

Each shedding cities and bid groups might be licking their wounds however would even be favourites if the NWSL determined so as to add additional enlargement groups within the close to future.

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