The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is making headlines with its decision to enter exclusive negotiations for a new expansion team, but not with Caitlin Clark’s Cincinnati-based group. Clark, a star player for the Indiana Fever, was a prominent figure behind the bid for an NWSL franchise in Cincinnati, alongside the owners of FC Cincinnati. However, the NWSL seems to be taking a different route, favoring a new group from Denver instead. Sources report that the expansion fee for the Denver team is expected to be between $105 million and $120 million, a sum that would surpass the previous record for a women’s sports franchise set by Bay FC and Boston, which paid $53 million for their expansion slots.
Before the NWSL Championship in November, the league’s commissioner, Jessica Berman, revealed that the expansion process had narrowed down to three finalists: Denver, Cleveland, and the Cincinnati group. Clark’s involvement, along with the backing of FC Cincinnati, made the bid particularly compelling. Their proposal included the use of FC Cincinnati’s state-of-the-art TQL Stadium and a commitment to invest $5 million in building a new training facility for the women’s team. According to Jeff Birding, co-CEO of FC Cincinnati, Clark was deeply invested in the proposal, despite being based in Indianapolis for her WNBA career, showing her genuine commitment to the success of the potential NWSL team.
Despite Clark’s star power and the strong backing of FC Cincinnati, the NWSL’s focus seems to be on the financial potential of the Denver bid. Some fans have expressed their disappointment, criticizing the decision to overlook Cincinnati’s established fan base, modern stadium, and Clark’s involvement in favor of a city with fewer of these advantages. The decision has raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether the league made the right choice by prioritizing financial incentives over the community engagement and credibility offered by Clark’s Cincinnati bid.
The Denver bid, known as For Denver FC, is led by Robert Cohen, CEO of IMA Financial Group, who is funding a substantial portion of the expansion costs and would become the team’s majority owner. The group also includes prominent figures such as former Obama administration official Ben Hubbard, sports executive Tom Dunmore, and former NWSL player Jordan Angeli. With such financial backing and influential leadership, the Denver bid appears poised to be a significant player in the future of women’s soccer.
While it is not yet final, the NWSL’s expansion to Denver, at a record-setting cost, could reshape the landscape of women’s professional soccer in the U.S. Though Cincinnati’s bid, with Caitlin Clark’s involvement, garnered attention, the league seems to be prioritizing financial and organizational strength in their decision-making process. Fans are left wondering if the NWSL’s choice will ultimately pay off or if it missed an opportunity to engage a passionate, ready-made fan base.
