Boston Mayor Makes Case For NWSL Expansion Team

The NWSL reportedly narrowed the potential sites for expansion teams down to three cities, and one mayor is voicing her support.

“Our city would obviously be an excellent home for a team of world class athletes representing the best women’s soccer league in the world,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. “Starting up a professional women’s soccer team is a challenging endeavor, but one that we are excited about.”

Jennifer Epstein, founder of Juno Equity and daughter of Celtics co-owner Robert Epstein, and Linda Henry, CEO of Boston Globe Media Partners and co-owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC, are included in the all-female investment group.

• The Boston Breakers were an original member of the NWSL from 2013-17.
• The team “wasn’t a failure of the market, but more a failure of just the time and the model put forth,” said Epstein. 

Groups from San Francisco and Tampa are the other finalists for a team, with the highest initial bid reportedly over $40 million.

Sixth Street is backing the San Francisco bid with USWNT players Brandi Chastain and Aly Wagner. Tampa Bay Rays majority owner Stuart Sternberg is leading the Tampa bid.

Royals’ Revival

The NWSL will add two teams in 2024. 

Utah is expected to be awarded one. The owners of MLS’ Real Salt Lake hold an option to revive the Utah Royals — who moved to Kansas City at the end of 2020 to become the Kansas City Current — reportedly for around $2 million.