National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman responds to a question during a press conference prior to the 2024 NWSL Championship match between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium. (Kylie Graham-Imagn Images)
A new announcement regarding a National Women’s Soccer League team is expected soon, as commissioner Jessica Berman revealed the three finalists for the league’s 16th team on Friday.
In a meeting with reporters before the NWSL championship, Berman disclosed that Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Denver are the finalists for expansion. This announcement follows Cincinnati’s news on Thursday that WNBA star Caitlin Clark has joined its ownership group.
Before the announcement regarding Clark, ESPN reported that Cincinnati was considered a frontrunner, thanks to its ownership led by MLS team FC Cincinnati and established facilities. The city boasts TQL Stadium, a 26,000-seat venue specifically designed for soccer, which has previously hosted several USWNT matches.
Berman expressed her admiration for Clark, stating, “Her accomplishments and contributions to women’s sports is incredible, historic. It’s changed the game for everyone, and she’s amazing. Having her interest in the NWSL is an honor. We couldn’t be more excited about her having shared her own personal story about having been a young soccer player and loving the game.”
She continued, “Her messaging around being a multi-sport athlete is so important for young kids who aspire to be just like her, and the future is bright for how we could potentially work with her or others who are influencers and interested in engaging and growing our league.”
Should either Cleveland or Denver be chosen, they would start playing in temporary venues with plans to develop permanent stadiums. The Cleveland group has already partnered with Cleveland Metroparks to secure a 13.6-acre site near Progressive Field, home to the MLB’s Cleveland Guardians, for their stadium project. No similar plans have been disclosed for Denver, and Berman did not offer any updates about a potential stadium in the Mile High city.
Whichever team is ultimately selected, the 16th expansion team will debut in 2026 alongside Boston’s previously announced expansion team. On Friday, Berman stated that all three finalists are operating under the anticipation of being awarded the expansion team, allowing for a launch with a 15-month preparation period.
“We don’t have any concerns about their ability to be ready,” she said. “And the league is resourced to support that launch period to ensure that they have a successful start.”
With the removal of the expansion draft under the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, Berman noted that clubs are adapting to the revised system. The league is also “developing mechanisms to ensure that those teams can be competitive.”
In other topics discussed during Friday’s press conference…
On growth: For the third consecutive year, the NWSL has seen significant growth across all metrics. Berman reported that the league’s addressable audience has expanded to 46 million, marking a 36 percent year-over-year increase. Furthermore, attendance reached a record of 2 million over the season, a rise of 47% compared to last year, averaging approximately 11,250 attendees per match.
During the inaugural year of the league’s new media rights deal, which made games available on national television for the first time, total viewership exceeded 14 million for all games. In the playoff matches held so far, over 2 million viewers have tuned in. The league also celebrated a 111% growth in social media followers and a 57% increase in engagement.
On support for minority groups post-election: “Whether Trump was president or Kamala was President, we’re committed to the values of our league, and we stand for inclusivity, excellence, and unity, and we’re going to continue to live by our values and support everyone in our ecosystem, inclusive of our fans, our players, our employees in every community where we operate.”
“We’re committed to ensuring that our players and staff get all of their needs met, whether that’s health care, other protections around mental health, any support that anyone in our ecosystem needs, they will receive.”
Leagues “have to create stars” like Caitlin Clark: Addressing insights from the WNBA’s successful year, Berman emphasized the importance of creating stars who resonate with fans.
“I think the takeaways from the WNBA’s success are clear. Number one, you have to create stars. You have to help fans relate to these incredible athletes in order to drive people to prioritize watching and attending games and really reach beyond your core audience. That happened for them, and it’s resulted in incredible growth for the WNBA, which has effectively raised all boats in women’s sports.”
“The second takeaway, which is also really important, is that this didn’t just happen. I have heard Commissioner Engelbert and others in the WNBA discuss how Caitlin Clark has been emerging as a star for three straight seasons. This year, she transcended into the average American consciousness. Most people likely know who she is and where she plays, which is astounding. But achieving this recognition took several years of development. It takes time to cultivate authentic stars and narratives that resonate widely, as she has.”
On the future of the Summer Cup: “As it relates to Liga MX Femenil, we’re really excited for the beginnings of what we have done together, and we think the future is bright for us to be able to continue working together. We are the foundational drivers of the professional game in this region, and…
We take our collective responsibilities very seriously and are dedicated to collaborating closely with our partners to build upon the momentum we’ve established this year—momentum that is unprecedented in women’s sports. We believe there are numerous opportunities for further growth in this area. Additionally, we maintain regular conversations with the Northern Super League, set to launch in Canada this spring.
“I want to acknowledge Diana Matheson, a former NWSL player, whom we support and are excited to see thrive. Launching a league is no easy feat, and we are committed to providing all the necessary support to foster an environment where she can establish a league that elevates our entire region in relation to the international stage.”
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