• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 20, 2025

Another Milestone for NWSL: Angel City FC’s Potential $300M Valuation

  • One report notes the Los Angeles-based club is valued at $250 million.
  • Earlier this year, the San Diego Wave sold for $113 million.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The wins just seem to keep coming for the NWSL.

Now into the second half of a season that is on pace to break total match attendance and viewership records, a new mark around franchise valuations appears to be on the way, too. 

That’s coming by way of a potential ownership stake sale in Angel City FC. The Los Angeles-based club is said to be valued at a league-high $250 million as Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay close in on the purchase of a controlling share, according to multiple reports. One report, from Semafor, put the new number even higher, saying Angel City will now be valued at more than $300 million with the new investment.

Iger and Bay would be taking over Angel City’s largest ownership stake from Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, according to the reports. However, Ohanian refuted that notion in a post on X. “As I’ve said from jump, I’m not selling any shares in the team–dunno why I keep seeing false reports,” he wrote. Ohanian also acknowledged that he didn’t set up control of the Angel City board of directors for myself, which he said is “one of many hard lessons I learned as a first-time sports team owner.”

Whatever the final valuation for Angel City ends up being, should the deal be completed, it represents the richest women’s sports team in the world, and is likely to come in at more than double the most recent NWSL franchise sale. In March, the San Diego Wave were sold for a then-league record $113 million. 

The NWSL Rocket Ship

While markets certainly play a factor is a specific club’s value, a clear upward trend can be seen in the NWSL over the last year:

  • Portland Thorns: Sold for $63 million in January
  • Bay FC: Launched this year, and a forthcoming Boston club, paid $53 million expansion fees
  • Chicago Red Stars: Sold for $35.5 million in 2023

The growth just from the Portland sale to San Diego to now Angel City—roughly doubling each time—is on par with, or even better in some cases, than trends in top men’s leagues. The most recent NFL sales include the Commanders ($6.05 billion), Broncos ($4.65 billion), and Panthers ($2.275 billion). In the NBA, the Hornets sold for $3 billion last summer shortly after the Suns sold for $4 billion.

Big Move for Iger

While the 73-year-old Iger has long been a force within sports media, this would represent his first personal investment in a professional franchise. “We have been waiting for the right opportunity,” Iger and Bay said in a pitch deck obtained by Semafor.  

Iger is currently under contract with Disney—which holds NWSL media rights—through 2026, setting up a unique scenario where a club investor would also be the top executive of a league broadcast partner. His term is set to end one year before the NWSL’s $240 million media rights deals with ESPN, CBS, Amazon, and Scripps Sports expire after the ’27 season. For now, it’s unclear how his involvement with Angel City could impact the Disney-NWSL relationship.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 19, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Rose Bowl Stadium.

John Textor Loses Bid to End $97M Suit Tied to Failed Soccer..

Textor told FOS he intends to appeal; Iconic Sports intends to collect.
IndyCar driver Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood, left, celebrates winning the Detroit Grand Prix with team co-owner Dan Towriss in Detroit on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss Defends  $700 Million Apple Deal

“We’re going to have a bigger reach than what people think.”
Hansi Flick

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
FBI

Former Everton Bidder Indicted for $500 Million Fraud Scheme

777 Partners failed to complete its purchase of Everton in 2023.

Featured Today

@chef__tezz/Instagram

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Second place Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) sprays champagne on winner Mercedes driver George Russell (63) at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Apple Officially Taking F1 Rights From ESPN in $700M Deal

ESPN has broadcast F1 in the U.S. since 2018.
WNBA
October 16, 2025

WNBA Says All-Star Game Will Return to Chicago Next Year

The league’s CBA expires in two weeks.
October 16, 2025

NHL Expansion Fee Soars to $2B As League’s Value Surges

The buy-in price for the league will more than triple.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
October 15, 2025

NHL Raises Concerns Over 2026 Olympic Arena’s Delayed Construction

The commissioner says construction progress in Italy remains a deep concern.
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena.
October 14, 2025

Dawn Staley Says NBA Far From Ready to Hire a Female Head..

South Carolina’s women’s basketball coach interviewed with the Knicks.
October 14, 2025

Cavaliers Go All In, Lead NBA With Record $392M Payroll

The Cavs are the only second-apron violator in the NBA.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.
October 13, 2025

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.