The NWSL is looking to announce its 16th team by the end of the year, commissioner Jessica Berman told ESPN.
Berman said that the league is “comfortably on track” to choose both the location and ownership group for the expansion team at “the beginning of Q4” of this year.
The NWSL has been rapidly expanding over the last five years, adding Angel City FC and San Diego Wave Fc in 2019. Both the Utah Royals and Bay FC began play this year. Last year, the league announced Boston as its 15th team, which will begin play in 2026.
But the difference this time, Berman says, is the league is “starting from a more curated place.”
“We know enough to advance the process,” she said. “It’s self-selecting people who understand what the expectations are for investment. We wouldn’t want anyone to waste their time; we don’t want to waste anyone else’s time.
“For where we are, the discussions feel more sophisticated and advanced because I think we’re more of a proven entity.”
The most recent expansion teams paid a $54 million expansion fee – up from the $2 million paid by ACFC and San Diego – as well as millions more in infrastructure.
These investments have proven to be lucrative, even in the short-term: San Diego is being sold for upwards of $120…
