Indiana Fever’s standout, Caitlin Clark, has become a key member of the ownership team hoping to secure an NWSL expansion franchise for Cincinnati. The city is among several finalists vying for one of the coveted spots in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), with the decision expected before the year’s end. If Cincinnati’s bid is successful, the new team will begin playing in 2026, joining Boston’s expansion team as the league grows to 16 teams.
In a statement to ESPN, the NWSL Cincinnati bid team expressed their excitement over Clark’s involvement, highlighting her deep passion for soccer, her dedication to advancing women’s sports in the Cincinnati area, and her influential status as a role model for women and girls. The group believes that Clark’s high-profile presence will be pivotal in making their bid stand out among the competition.
Clark’s impressive career already includes making history at the University of Iowa, where she shattered the NCAA scoring record. After being selected first overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2024 WNBA Draft, she went on to earn the WNBA Rookie of the Year title and became the first rookie since Candace Parker in 2008 to be named to the All-WNBA First Team. These achievements have made her a major force in women’s sports, enhancing the credibility of the Cincinnati bid.
The ownership group behind the bid is led by FC Cincinnati, the city’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team, which provides a solid foundation with its existing infrastructure and stadium specifically designed for soccer. Other cities in the running include Cleveland, Denver, Nashville, and Philadelphia, but Cincinnati’s prospects are considered strong due to its well-established soccer framework and financial backing, according to sources familiar with the process.
As the expansion race intensifies, sources have indicated that the expansion fee for the new team could approach $100 million, with Boston and Bay FC each paying $53 million to join the league in 2023. Several cities, including Cleveland, Denver, and Philadelphia, are still working on plans to construct new stadiums, with temporary venues as potential options for the 2026 season. Despite these hurdles, Cincinnati’s bid remains a favorite to secure the next spot in the NWSL.
