CINCINNATI (Cincinnati Business Courier/WKRC) – The field of potential suitors for the National Women’s Soccer League’s 16th franchise is coming into focus and the Queen City appears to be in the mix.
According to Sports Business Journal, the NWSL is eyeing Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Nashville, and Philadelphia for its 16th franchise, set to debut in 2026 alongside Boston. SBJ also reports that expansion fees could approach $100 million despite news that Boston had paid a $53 million expansion fee.
The Cincinnati Business Courier confirmed in June that FC Cincinnati’s ownership group had submitted a bid for a professional women’s soccer team. FC Cincinnati co-CEO and Visit Cincy board Chair Emeritus Jeff Berding, who is also a minority investor leading the charge, then said on Oct. 4 the club had already been presented with an NWSL expansion opportunity sometime in the past…