The National Women’s Soccer League is expected to award a 16th franchise to a group in Denver, a source with knowledge of the situation, who is not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed to The Equalizer.
The NWSL decided to move forward with the Denver bid over two other finalist groups from Cincinnati and Cleveland, bringing an end to a months-long process. The fee for the Denver franchise is expected to exceed $100 million, as The Equalizer previously reported. The team is expected to join a 15th franchise from Boston and begin play in 2026, although Boston’s stadium project faces ongoing hurdles. Boston paid $53 million to join the league.
An NWSL spokesperson declined to comment on expansion when reached by The Equalizer on Tuesday. The process is ongoing and still needs to be finalized.
The group in Denver is exploring the construction of a stadium that would make the NWSL team the primary tenant, which commissioner Jessica Berman has repeatedly said is a top priority. Earlier this year, the Kansas City Current opened the first stadium…
