NWSL confirms award of 16th team franchise to Denver

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) has announced that it will expand with its 16th franchise located in Denver, Colorado. This new team will be the first women's professional squad in any major national league to establish itself in the Mile High City, tapping into Denver’s vibrant sports culture and dedicated fan base. NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman expressed excitement about the growth of the league and the commitment shown by the franchise to provide state-of-the-art facilities for both players and fans.

The ownership group for the Denver franchise has reportedly paid a staggering $110 million expansion fee, which sets a record for women’s sports in the U.S. This fee is significantly higher than the $53 million paid for other upcoming franchises, emphasizing the financial commitment and potential anticipated for the Denver team. The ownership is led by finance executive Rob Cohen, with support from notable figures like Mellody Hobson and Jason Wright, along with members of the Coors family.

Cohen expressed enthusiasm for bringing professional women's soccer to Colorado, highlighting the transformative impact he believes the franchise will have on local communities. The team’s plans include constructing a soccer-specific stadium and a dedicated training facility for female athletes, aiming to create an environment that fosters excellence from the start. Until the stadium is operational, the team will play in a temporary venue.

Efforts to secure the NWSL franchise began in 2023, with former NWSL player Jordan Angeli playing a key role in rallying public support and financing through the "For Denver" campaign. Initially, this campaign sought to attract either an NWSL team or a squad in the USL Super League, demonstrating solid community backing for women's soccer in the region.

Colorado has a rich youth soccer landscape and has produced several notable U.S. women's national team players. The area has seen strong attendance for women's national team matches, signaling a robust interest in women's soccer that the new franchise hopes to capitalize on. The current men's team, the Colorado Rapids, has been a fixture in Major League Soccer since its inception in 1996, and their venue has been suggested as a possible temporary home for the new NWSL franchise.