CINCINNATI (WXIX) – One of the most influential names in women’s sports is now part of the ownership group trying to bring a National Women’s Soccer League team to Cincinnati.
Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever guard and star, joins the fight for NWSL in the Queen City.
The news was reported on Thursday by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and women’s soccer beat reporter Jeff Kassouf.
Several MLS ownership groups have shown interest in bringing an NWSL expansion team to their cities, including FC Cincinnati.
The NWSL Cincinnati bid team is thrilled that Caitlin Clark has joined our ownership group in pursuit of bringing a women’s professional soccer team to our city. Her passion for the sport, commitment to elevating women’s sports in and around the Greater Cincinnati region, and influence as an athlete and role model for women and girls around the world, make her a vital part of our compelling bid to become the 16th team in the NWSL.
The Queen City is one of the few finalists bidding for a team, alongside Cleveland, Philadelphia, Nashville and Denver.
The competition for an NWSL team is hot as Cleveland has already announced plans to build a professional outdoor soccer stadium, specifically for women’s soccer – the first in Ohio.
But with Clark as a member of Cincinnati’s ownership group, it may open a new door for the city.
In September of 2023, NWSL announced its first expansion team to join 2026 play, Boston Nation FC. Two big names in women’s sports, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and U.S. Women’s Soccer star Sam Mewis, were named members of the team’s ownership group. as members of the team’s ownership group.
If selected, Cincinnati’s team would begin play in 2026.
There are 15 teams now in the women’s professional league, and only 16 slots. Those teams are: Angel City FC, Bay FC, BOS Nation FC, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, Kansas City Current, NJ/NY Gotham FC, North Carolina Courage, OL Reign, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns FC, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave FC, Utah Royals FC, and Washington Spirit.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it.
Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.
Copyright 2024 WXIX. All rights reserved.
