• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 6, 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

ESPN Ends Its Wild-Card Coverage With Historic TV Ratings

Wild-card viewership surges 64% to a record in the current format.
Jul 19, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (4) passes the ball in the second half of a preseason preparation soccer match against the Borussia Dortmund at Notre Dame.

Liverpool’s $598M Gamble Looks Pretty Average on the Pitch—So Far

Liverpool struggles after historic offseason spending and lofty expectations.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Scott Foster

NBA Refs Testing Earpieces in Preseason Games

The technology won’t be used in the regular season yet.
October 5, 2025

Bad Bunny, U.S. Officials Trade Barbs Over Super Bowl Halftime Show

DHS Secretary Noem attacks the choice, while Bad Bunny responds on SNL.
October 6, 2025

NFL London Fans Get Partial Refunds After Ticket App Glitches

Fans experienced delays entering the Vikings-Browns game.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Signs promoting the FIFA World Cup Final coming to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024. The World Cup is held every four years and the 2026 World Cup Final match will be played at MetLife Stadium.
October 3, 2025

High Ticket Prices Define First World Cup Presale

Most fans weren’t picked for the pricey first presale window.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Mar 16, 2025; Singapore, SINGAPORE; Joaquin Niemann in action during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.
October 3, 2025

LIV Golf Lost $461M in Non-U.S. Operations in 2024

Public financial filings were released this week in the U.K.
Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland; Pittsburgh Steelers fans cheer during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL International Series game at Croke Park.
October 3, 2025

NFL Wants to Play on a Record Fifth Continent

Asia is in the league’s sights after a 2026 game in Australia.
Grand Slam Track
exclusive
October 3, 2025

Investors Keep Grand Slam Track Alive With 8-Figure Lifeline

The league paid athletes half of what they’re owed Friday.