On Tuesday, 25 Seattle-based sports and business professionals announced their investment in a new USL W League team operated by popular semi-pro USL League Two men’s side Ballard FC.
Headlined by Lauren Barnes (Seattle Reign), Jess Fishlock (Seattle Reign), Olivia Van der Jagt (Seattle Reign), and Sam Hiatt (Gotham FC), alongside Seattle Storm co-owner Ginny Glider and Jen Barnes, owner of the women’s sports-focused Rough & Tumble Pub, the yet-to-be-named Ballard squad will enter the pre-professional league next May.
Current Ballard FC president Sam Zisette will oversee both the men’s and women’s clubs, while vice president and seasoned athletic trainer Tiffany Mallick will shift her focus on the women’s team.
“Our goal is to create better opportunities for young women to develop their skills on and off the field,” said Reign captain Lauren Barnes in a team press release. “The path to professional soccer didn’t exist on the same scale while I was growing up, and I’m thrilled to be part of changing that for future players.”
“Introducing a USL W League team to Ballard is a monumental step…
