Denver is Officially the 16th Team to Join the NWSL
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has awarded Denver its 16th franchise.
The ownership group leading the Denver bid secured the expansion slot with a $110 million fee, more than doubling the previous record set by Bay FC in 2023.
The Denver expansion group won over rival bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati with a proposal spearheaded by Robert Cohen, the CEO of IMA Financial Group. Cohen’s team was also involved in Denver’s bid for a WNBA expansion team, reflecting the city’s growing sports profile.
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NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman confirmed the expansion team’s victory, describing the selection process as highly competitive. She also acknowledged the bid from Cincinnati, which had the support of basketball star Caitlin Clark, calling it an “honor” to see such a high-profile figure involved.
Notably, just under a year ago, in April 2023, the Bay Area expansion franchise was awarded $53 million, marking a significant investment, but still far from the new record. Boston secured an expansion team for the same amount in September of that year.
In addition to expansion, the NWSL is seeing increased financial interest through other channels, with substantial investments driving growth for individual teams. In 2023, the sale of Angel City FC to entertainment mogul Bob Iger and journalist Willow Bay shattered the league’s valuation records, with the club valued at $250 million.
