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The National Women's Soccer League has announced that Columbus, Ohio, has been awarded an expansion franchise, which will enter the league in 2028.
The team will be owned by a group of investors including the Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Drs. Pete and Christine Edwards, and Nationwide Realty Investors LLC.
Per multiple reports, the group will pay an NWSL-record expansion fee of $205 million to join the league.
The Columbus team will join a new franchise in Atlanta to take the league up to 18 teams when they both begin play in two years.
The team will play at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field downtown, home of the Columbus Crew in MLS. The HSG and Drs. Pete and Christine Edwards are also co-owners of the Crew.
The HSG also owns the NFL's Cleveland Browns and is co-owner of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
“As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step. This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in women’s sports," said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman.
“We’re excited to bring the world’s most competitive women’s soccer league to Columbus and to see this community embrace the game in a new way.”
The two 2028 teams will continue a period of rapid expansion for the NWSL, which had 10 teams as recently as the 2021 season. Since then, the league added the San Diego Wave and Angel City FC in 2022, the Utah Royals and Bay FC in 2024, and Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC this year.
This will be the first time an NWSL franchise calls Ohio home.
“Columbus is very important to our family. For over 30 years, we’ve supported the Columbus Crew and MLS. We’ve seen how a men’s professional soccer team has brought people together and created a positive impact in our community. It's truly special to now welcome an NWSL club and the incredible women athletes who will also uplift our city on and off the pitch,” said Dr. Christine Edwards.
“We're very excited to partner with Haslam Sports Group and Nationwide for NWSL Columbus 2028, and we can’t wait to share even more memorable moments with fans, especially during the Club’s first game at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NWSL awards Columbus expansion team
Continue reading...
The team will be owned by a group of investors including the Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Drs. Pete and Christine Edwards, and Nationwide Realty Investors LLC.
Per multiple reports, the group will pay an NWSL-record expansion fee of $205 million to join the league.
The Columbus team will join a new franchise in Atlanta to take the league up to 18 teams when they both begin play in two years.
The team will play at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field downtown, home of the Columbus Crew in MLS. The HSG and Drs. Pete and Christine Edwards are also co-owners of the Crew.
The HSG also owns the NFL's Cleveland Browns and is co-owner of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks.
“As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step. This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in women’s sports," said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman.
“We’re excited to bring the world’s most competitive women’s soccer league to Columbus and to see this community embrace the game in a new way.”
The two 2028 teams will continue a period of rapid expansion for the NWSL, which had 10 teams as recently as the 2021 season. Since then, the league added the San Diego Wave and Angel City FC in 2022, the Utah Royals and Bay FC in 2024, and Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC this year.
This will be the first time an NWSL franchise calls Ohio home.
“Columbus is very important to our family. For over 30 years, we’ve supported the Columbus Crew and MLS. We’ve seen how a men’s professional soccer team has brought people together and created a positive impact in our community. It's truly special to now welcome an NWSL club and the incredible women athletes who will also uplift our city on and off the pitch,” said Dr. Christine Edwards.
“We're very excited to partner with Haslam Sports Group and Nationwide for NWSL Columbus 2028, and we can’t wait to share even more memorable moments with fans, especially during the Club’s first game at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NWSL awards Columbus expansion team
Continue reading...
