Friday saw the deadline two make bids for NWSL expansion in 2024. Commissioner Jessica Berman said that she expects to select two bids by the end of 2022. While some bids are from independent ownership groups, many are attached to Major League Soccer franchises. Here is a list of the strongest potential NWSL expansion bids reported so far and how likely they are to succeed.
The 2024 Potential NWSL Expansion Bids
Salt Lake City
#NWSL 2024 expansion in a nutshell:
Utah is coming back for ~$2 million, as I reported on ESPN in June:https://t.co/W0gRF5Hedl
A whole bunch of others want in for what I currently expect to end up in the $20 million+ rage (reported in the link below).https://t.co/j0WxtZH9O1
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) November 3, 2022
The Utah Royals FC was sold and relocated on December 7, 2020. Now the Royals look to be one of the favorites to get an expansion side and return to NWSL. In June of this year, ESPN reported that Utah was expected to be one of the two bids to be selected for 2024.
Bay Area
“We are a group that is being led by players that is focused on player voice and is focused on keeping our players front and center.”
The NWSL expansion bid deadline is Friday. The Bay Area group feels confident | @sfchroniclehttps://t.co/KUWwjcvfSJ
— Marisa Ingemi (@Marisa_Ingemi) October 31, 2022
Reports dating back to 2014 said that there was a potential expansion bid that involved the San Jose Earthquakes of MLS. By June 2022, it was announced that a bid from an ownership group independent of the Earthquakes was made. The group includes former USWNT players like Brandi Chastain and Aly Wagner among others. The Bay Area has emerged as a favorite to be granted an expansion club.
Atlanta
Since 2015, two separate investment groups made unsuccessful bids for an Atlanta NWSL franchise. In 2019 it was reported that Atlanta United was “considering launching a professional women’s team to compete in the NWSL, and may do as soon as 2021”. As of now, the Atlanta United-led bid is expected to be a serious contender.
Austin
Austin has made several bids for an expansion team since 2018. One of the potential owners is reported to be Anthony Precourt. Precourt is the CEO of the group that formerly owned the Columbus Crew and subsequently relocated them to Austin as Austin FC.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati-native and U.S. women’s national team player Rose Lavelle on FIFA World Cup qualification and FC Cincinnati’s interest in an NWSL team: pic.twitter.com/PrqVORmrlT
— Charlie Hatch (@charliehatch_) October 20, 2018
FC Cincinnati in MLS has expressed interest in an NWSL club to play in their TQL Stadium. Cincinnati native and OL Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle have been vocal about her interest in a team in her hometown.
Toronto
After the inaugural NWSL season, then-commissioner Cheryl Bailey said there was considerable interest in expanding to Toronto and Vancouver. Despite interest from fans after hosting the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada, none of the country’s MLS sides had any intention of joining the league. However, after winning the gold medal at the 2020 Olympics, interest in a professional women’s team again began to rise. Now a Toronto FC-led group hopes to bring a franchise to Canada.
Potential 2024 NWSL Expansion Bids Overview
There is a lot of competition for the 14th spot in the NWSL. It is expected that Salt Lake City will be awarded the 13th NWSL franchise. This will be Salt Lake City’s first NWSL team since the Utah Royals FC, who played their last NWSL season in 2020 before becoming the Kansas City Current.
There is then stiff competition for the 14th NWSL team including the Bay Area and potential ownership groups from current MLS teams like Toronto FC, Austin FC, Atlanta United FC, and FC Cincinnati.
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