On Tuesday, at least two bids for the most recent NWSL development company made their pitches to the organization.
Betting groups from Cincinnati and Denver presented their proposals to the league’s financiers and attorneys in New York, according to several people who had firsthand knowledge of the debate.
Another growth bidders have not met with the group, it is unknown.
The ArentFox Schiff rules offices in Manhattan hosted the sessions. When Boston acquired a company in September and the Chicago Red Stars were sold to Laura Ricketts, AlanFox Schiff represented the group and acted as lawful guidance.
When asked about the gathering by Sportico, the club declined to comment. Despite a request for comment, AlanFox Schiff did not respond.
By “beginning of Q4 of this year,” which may essentially mean October, NWSL director Jessica Berman announced to ESPN that the group intended to find the 16th group in April. That team had started play in 2026 along with Boston, which was selected in 2023.
” It’s self-selecting people who understand what the expectations are for expenditure”, she said in the April interview with ESPN. ” We would n’t want anyone to waste their time. … For where we are, the debate feel more sophisticated and advanced, because I think we’re more of a proven entity”.
The NWSL now has 14 effective groups, Bay FC began perform this season. Sixth Street, a private equity firm with a$ 53 million expansion cost, holds majority ownership of the San Jose club. Former NBA stars Andre Iguodala and Sheryl Sandberg are among the original owners of the Bay Area team, along with several previous U.S. national team members Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, and Leslie Osborne.
The Boston brand, even purchased for$ 53 million, is owned by Jennifer Epstein, leader of the female-led investment firm Juno Equity, and Stephanie Connaughton, a veteran of Bain and Proctor &, Gamble. Both ladies have ties to the Celtics, Epstein is the daughter of co-owner Robert Epstein, and Connaughton is the family of investment John Connaughton. Following the Boston Breakers ‘ dissolution, which played in the WUSA and NWSL from 2007 until 2016 and is now a member of this development group, the group will be renamed.
Investment interest in the NWSL is growing, as evidenced by the upcoming sales of Angel City FC and the San Diego Wave’s earlier sale. In July, it was revealed that Willow Bay, dean of USC’s journalism school, and her husband, Disney boss Bob Iger, were buying a control stake in Angel City that valued the club at a record$ 250 million.
In a two-part package that will ultimately benefit the group at$ 120 million, private equity businessman Ron Burkle sold the Wave to the Levine Leichtman home in March. Burkle, the co-founder of the investment firm Yucaipa Companies, paid a$ 2 million expansion fee for the Wave in 2021.
The people ‘ boat is being lifted by the rising tide for the team owners. The NWSL and the athletes ‘ union slowly reached an agreement earlier this month that will become effective once the latest CBA expires following the 2026 season. More person movement and higher compensation would be included in the new CBA, which may lengthen labor harmony through at least 2030.
With guidance from Eric Jackson.
( The headline and the second paragraph of this article have been updated to remove Cleveland from the list of potential growth organizations with sessions in New York. ) Sportico can verify that it had met with the group this week despite the fact that a Cleveland team is constantly looking for an NWSL expansion team. The Angel City pricing in the play sales in July has also been clarified in the 10th article.