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The NWSL is including a sixteenth group that can be positioned in Denver.
Per Eben Novy-Williams of Sportico, IMA Monetary Group CEO Robert Cohen is among the many principal backers of the brand new franchise paying a $110 million growth payment.
Novy-Williams famous the growth payment is the richest ever for a U.S. ladies’s sports activities group and greater than double the earlier document for an NWSL membership.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman confirmed in November that Denver was amongst three cities vying for the growth franchise, together with Cleveland and Cincinnati.
“The method is ongoing, and we’re actually enthusiastic in regards to the last three prospects that we have now within the course of,” Berman said. “We’ll have information to share within the coming weeks as we transfer to shut with a type of three markets.”
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was a surprise addition to the Cincinnati group that was led by the house owners of the MLS group FC Cincinnati.
Based on Novy-Williams, topline worth and timeline of funds for the growth payment—up entrance vs. over an extended interval—generally is a “important piece of growth negotiations.” The Denver group submitted its first cost to the NWSL on Tuesday, nevertheless it’s “unclear” how a lot was paid.
Denver will debut in 2026, alongside the brand new franchise in Boston that was announced in September 2023. The addition of two golf equipment means the NWSL can have added eight new groups to the enjoying area for the reason that begin of the 2021 season.
Boston Unity Soccer Companions paid a $53 million growth payment that was the identical quantity as Bay FC in 2023.
Bay FC and the Utah Royals each debuted within the 2024 season. The NWSL started in 2013 with 5 groups. The 14 energetic franchises are presently value a mixed $1.46 billion (common of $104.3 million), per Sportico.
There is no such thing as a indication at this level the place the Denver franchise will play house video games. This may turn into the fifth main skilled sports activities group based mostly within the metropolis, together with the Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Broncos (NFL), Denver Nuggets (NBA) and Colorado Avalanche (NHL).
