Denver has secured the NWSL’s sixteenth franchise at an enlargement price of $110 million, in response to a number of folks conversant in the matter.
Backers of the Denver bid, principally IMA Monetary Group CEO Robert Cohen, submitted their first fee to the league on Tuesday, stated the folks, who had been granted anonymity as a result of the small print are personal. The $110 million enlargement price is greater than double the earlier NWSL file for brand spanking new groups and can also be the most important enlargement price ever paid in U.S. ladies’s sports activities.
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Sportico that Denver was in unique talks with the league, however the NWSL has but to publicly remark. The group will doubtless decide to spending a certain quantity of {dollars} in launching the staff. Sixth Avenue-owned Bay FC, which began play in 2024, pledged a dedication at launch, which included a $53 million enlargement price.
Denver’s NWSL bid group is led by Cohen, who’s supplying a good portion of the financing and could be the staff’s management proprietor. Former Obama administration official Ben Hubbard, who’s the CEO of Denver-based insurance coverage firm Parsyl; sports activities enterprise govt Tom Dunmore; Phos CEO Nicole Glaros and former NWSL participant/present league analyst Jordan Angeli are additionally a part of the group.
Different traders are nonetheless approaching board, one of many sources stated. The group has stated it plans to construct its personal soccer-specific stadium however will play in a brief venue till that’s prepared.
Denver was considered one of three finalists for the sixteenth NWSL spot, alongside teams from Cleveland () and Cincinnati (MLS membership Cincinnati FC).
The remainder of the enlargement price will likely be paid in tranches, Sportico beforehand reported.
The NWSL added two groups this previous season: the Utah Royals and Bay FC. A Boston-based membership will be a part of the league in 2026; it agreed to pay the identical $53 million enlargement price as Bay FC. Utah had beforehand had an NWSL franchise and owned a .
Latest WNBA enlargement groups in Toronto and the Bay Space agreed to pay $50 million, with a bunch in Portland paying a barely greater price.
The worth of NWSL groups has exploded in recent times, with current gross sales valuing Angel Metropolis FC at $250 million and San Diego Wave at $113 million. The common membership is value , in response to Sportico’s September staff valuations. It was up 57% from the prior 12 months.
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