September 30, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; A general view of the game ball before the game between Washington Spirit and Kansas City -current at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Pictures National Women’s Soccer League officially announced on Thursday that Denver will join the league as his 16th team 2026.
“When NWSL continues its rapid growth, we knew it was crucial to launch our 16th team in a city with a passionate sports culture and lively fans – and Denver is the perfect match,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman.
“The club’s plans for a custom -built stadium and modern educational facility show a commitment to provide world -class environments for our players and fans.”
Denver’s Ownership Group, led by IMA Financial chairman and CEO Rob Cohen, reportedly paid a league record of $ 110 million franchise fee. Other investors include project level, a group under the leadership of Mellody Hobson and former Washington Commander President Jason Wright and Firettracks Sports Ventures LLC.
Cohen will be the team’s controlling owner and Hobson will serve as an alternative governor.
“When I was in the sports world, I heard about the grassroots effort to bring a football team to Denver,” Cohen told ESPN. “I met that group and the more I began to learn about what they thought, what their vision was, put me on a journey to start learning about the league, what they did, to the point where in the end wanted to lead invitation and hopefully Bring a team to Denver, as we do now. ”
Denver came out of a finalist group that also included bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati.
NWSL’s 15th franchise was awarded in 2023 to Boston, which will also start playing in 2026. Boston paid an expansion fee of $ 53 million and matched the amount that Bay FC completed its first season in 2024.
NWSL started with eight teams in 2013, following collapse of the Women’s United Soccer Association (2001-03) and Women’s Professional Soccer (2009-11). The circuit currently has teams in (or near) New York; Chicago; Seattle; Washington; Houston; Orlando; Louisville; Los Angeles; San Diego; San Jose; Salt Lake City; Kansas City, Mo.; Portland, Ore.; And Cary, NC
-Field level media
