• Loading stock data...
Sunday, October 19, 2025

Boston Mayor Defends NWSL Stadium Renovation Going $100 Million Over Budget

The city’s costs for the renovation have nearly doubled from original plans.

Boston mayor Michelle Wu
Savannah Morning News

Boston mayor Michelle Wu is standing by a controversial stadium plan for the city’s new NWSL team following backlash from residents and at least one city councilor.

The mayor and future NWSL team, currently known as Bos Nation FC, are set to jointly fund the renovation of the 10,000-seat, 75-year-old White Stadium. The Boston Globe reported last week that the project’s costs have roughly doubled from previous estimates. The original cost breakdown was $50 million from the city and $30 million or more from the team. Total costs have now ballooned to nearly $200 million, with about $91 million from the city.

White Stadium hosts high school football, community events, and concerts. Wu says the facility will still be open for community use 90% of the time once the NWSL team moves in.

“Public projects rightly deserve scrutiny & too many stadium projects have left taxpayers in the lurch,” Wu said on social media Wednesday. “I’ve been a fierce critic of bad deals for Boston—not stopping now.”

The mayor then posted a thread of details about the renovation project, including the current disrepair of the stadium, the new NWSL owners’ commitment to pay for more than half the renovations, and annual rent, maintenance, and ongoing money to the community, and the 50+ public meetings that determined the design.

The plan is facing an increasingly intense backlash in Boston. In February, residents launched a lawsuit against the project. They argue the community wasn’t able to give proper feedback, worry about the private use of public land, and have concerns about traffic and congestion around the stadium.

On Monday, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn released a statement saying residents’ concerns weren’t taken seriously and asking Wu to scrap the project altogether.

“We should cancel this proposal immediately and work together with residents and stakeholders across the city to provide the best option not only for our city and supporting a professional women’s soccer team, but one that incorporates the voice of our residents and student athletes as well,” Flynn said.

This is the second major controversy for the team that’s still more than a year away from taking the pitch.

In October, the team unveiled its name, Bos Nation FC, an anagram of Bostonian. To celebrate, the team ran a campaign about “too many balls,” meant to indicate the changing tide from the city’s dominant men’s sports scene. It was a disaster, with fans saying the concept was transphobic as well as disrespectful to the history of women’s sports teams in Boston. Bos Nation issued a formal apology from the club just one day after the rollout.

“We fully acknowledge that the content of the campaign did not reflect the safe and welcoming environment we strive to create for all, and we apologize to the LGBTQ+ community and to the trans community in particular for the hurt we caused,” the team posted on social media.

The team posted at the end of November that it “launched a deliberate process” to get feedback about its name, suggesting the Bos Nation moniker could be on its way out.

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.
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.
Jon Ledecky

Islanders Owner Warns WNBA Against Labor Strife: ‘No Bueno’

Jon Ledecky drew a stark contrast between the two leagues.

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.

Steelers’ Shared Stadium With Pitt Comes Under Fire for Bad Turf

The conditions at Acrisure Stadium have been subpar this season.
October 13, 2025

Browns, Cleveland Reach $100M Deal to Clear Team’s Move to Suburbs

The surprise truce includes financial payments and the dismissal of lawsuits.
October 15, 2025

Bears Hit Another Speed Bump for New $5B Stadium in Suburbs

A new state bill would impose several conditions on the NFL team.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of a Cleveland Browns helmet on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.
October 7, 2025

Cleveland Takes New Shot at Blocking Browns’ $2.4B Stadium

A new lawsuit challenges a permit for the NFL team’s planned stadium.
October 7, 2025

Rays Owner Eyes New ‘Forever Home’ Like Atlanta’s Battery

The club’s new owners target a new ballpark opening in 2029.
Sep 23, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars forward Adam Erne (76) looks on during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center
exclusive
October 3, 2025

Dallas Stars Eyeing Possible Move to Plano in 2031

The team needs to figure out where they’ll play starting in 2031.
Chicago Bears stadium rendering
October 1, 2025

Bears Want $855M in Public Money for Suburban Stadium

The NFL team details an updated ask for public money.