Caitlin Clark, a standout player for the Indiana Fever and one of the most prominent figures in women’s sports, has joined the ownership group working to bring a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team to Cincinnati. This move is a significant step forward for the Queen City’s bid to add a professional women’s soccer team, and Clark’s involvement is expected to bring additional attention and momentum to the cause.
Cincinnati is now among a handful of cities vying for the opportunity to host an NWSL team, including Cleveland, Philadelphia, Nashville, and Denver. The competition is fierce, especially with Cleveland already planning to build a dedicated outdoor stadium for women’s soccer, which would be a first in Ohio. Despite the competition, the inclusion of Clark in the ownership group of the Cincinnati bid could prove to be a game-changer for the city.
In a statement released by the NWSL Cincinnati bid team, they expressed their excitement over Clark’s involvement, highlighting her passion for soccer, her commitment to advancing women’s sports, and her influence as a role model for women and girls globally. These qualities make her a key figure in the team’s efforts to secure a place in the NWSL, which is expanding to include more teams in the coming years.
Currently, the NWSL consists of 15 teams, with only one open slot for expansion. If Cincinnati’s bid is successful, the team would join the league in 2026, joining other newcomers like Boston Nation FC, which is set to join the league at the same time. The addition of Clark to the ownership group follows a trend of high-profile women athletes getting involved in NWSL ownership, such as Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and soccer star Sam Mewis, who are part of Boston’s ownership group.
As the NWSL prepares for future growth, the push to bring a team to Cincinnati could have a lasting impact on the region’s sports culture. The league’s expansion marks a growing recognition of the importance of women’s professional sports, and Cincinnati’s bid is gaining strength with Caitlin Clark’s influential involvement.
