The expansion process for NWSL’s 16th club is coming to a close. Approximately seven cities were being considered in June, and by the beginning of this month, a handful of finalists emerged: Cleveland, Denver, and Cincinnati.
Cleveland is owned by the Haslam family, who also own heated rivals Columbus Crew and the Cleveland Browns. They’ve acquired the land necessary to build a stadium. They have also successfully launched an MLS NEXT Pro franchise to the city for 2025.
Denver’s bid seems to be the least ready, although they have a name and a color scheme. They are known as For Denver FC and feature a wordmark that is black with green and pink accents. It is being led by Rob Cohen, who unsuccessfully pushed for a WNBA franchise in the Mile High City. They are yet to have plans for a stadium or training ground.
Cincinnati has the most concrete proposal out of the three. The franchise would play at TQL Stadium with locker rooms ready for a women’s side, and they would train at the expandable Mercy Health Training Center. The facilities are only a few years old as well. The bid is being led by Carl Lindner III, and in a surprise announcement on Thursday, the ownership group was bolstered by Caitlin Clark—one of the world’s most famous female athletes.
A day after that announcement, league commissioner Jessica Berman stated in a press conference that they’d “have news in the coming weeks,” and that they were “honored” by Caitlin Clark joining Cincinnati’s bid. It has been said that the next expansion will be officially announced before the end of this year. The process has likely advanced enough for that to happen.
Despite the positivity surrounding the bid, new reports emerged that showed Cincinnati had the lowest fee out of the finalists. A $5 million grant has been proposed by Hamilton County commissioners for the facilities to be expanded—such a proposal could boost its chances.
NWSL had a very successful season. The women’s club game has grown immensely in the United States, as expansion has continued to grow in the West. Kansas City Current recently constructed the first-ever women’s soccer-specific stadium, known as CPKC Stadium. It hosted the NWSL Final on Saturday.
If Cincinnati’s bid doesn’t come to fruition for the 16th club, it would still be the frontrunner in the next process. Still, though, they have the best chance of securing it—the only bid with facilities ready, and an impressive ownership group that has added a global star.
If NWSL chooses a market based on its readiness and competitiveness, Cincinnati is a no-brainer. But if they choose based on the expansion fee, fans from the Queen City may have to wait longer to see a professional women’s soccer club.
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