Friday, October 2, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Brad Stevens, Wife Invest In Boston’s Expansion NWSL Franchise

  • NWSL awarded its 15th franchise to Boston this week, set to begin play in 2026.
  • “It’s cool to be on that ground floor,” the Celtics president of basketball operations said.
Boston Unity formally announces its successful NWSL expansion bid with a media and community event alongside Mayor Wu and other dignitaries at City Hall Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts.
Billie Weiss/Elevate Communications

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens and his wife, Tracy — who played soccer at DePauw University, where the pair met — have joined Boston Unity Soccer Partners.

This week, the National Women’s Soccer League awarded the league’s 15th franchise to Boston. The currently unnamed team will begin play in 2026.

“It’s cool to be on that ground floor,” Stevens said. “We’re very small with regard to our own investor status, but we’re certainly thrilled to help in any way, whether it’s the board as they’re building up a soccer operations group, or looking at recruiting coaches or players down the road… Whatever the case may be, we want to help in whatever way we can.”

Boston Unity’s ownership group includes controlling partner Jennifer Epstein, Stephanie Connaughton, Ami Kuan Danoff, and Anna Palmer.

“Here in Boston, we have these five storied franchises and our fans are used to an elevated and very exciting fan experience, and we want to create something similar,” Epstein told reporters on Tuesday. “We want to sell out that stadium from day one and have it be the same unrivaled fan experience that Boston fans are used to.”

The Celtics have certainly provided that type of fan experience under Stevens: Since he took over in his current role, Boston has been to two consecutive Eastern Conference Finals and has ranked top five in the NBA in average attendance percentage.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA Faces Ratings Test Without Caitlin Clark, Fever

Indiana was eliminated from the playoffs Thursday by the Las Vegas Aces.

Napheesa Collier: ‘Haven’t Even Thought About’ Free Agency

Collier signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Lynx in April.
Aug 2, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Jessica Pegula (USA) reacts after winning the first set against Alexandra Eala (PHI) (not pictured) during the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.

WTA Announces Equal Pay for All Combined 1000 Events

Three of the seven combined events maintained a pay disparity this year.

College Basketball Player in ICE Custody Allowed to Re-Open Case

Kentucky State’s Senegalese center was detained at the airport on Aug. 7.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Randy Levine on the Yankees’ $2.6B Apollo Deal and the Protect College Sports Act

0:00

Featured Today

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025
September 28, 2026

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Sep 27, 2026; Rio De Janeiro, BRA; A tifo featuring images of
First at FOS

NFL, NFLPA Yet to Hold Real Talks on More Games Abroad

The CBA requires consultation with the union.
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
October 2, 2026

Sean McVay’s Comments About Call Raise Questions About NFL Policy

Discussions between teams and the NFL are not always treated as confidential.
Feb 9, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York at the Super Bowl LX host committee handoff press conference at Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
October 2, 2026

NFL Suspends Jed York 6 Games After Prostitution Sting Arrest

The 49ers owner was also fined $500,000.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Sep 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (12), outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) and catcher Austin Wells (28) celebrate after defeating the Boston Red Sox in game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium.
October 2, 2026

NBC Scored Record Viewership With MLB Wild-Card Round

The initial wild-card games set a series of viewership milestones.
A moose forages for food at Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
October 2, 2026

MLB Ends Grand Teton Game Talks After Wyoming Officials Object

The early-stage consideration generated heavy pushback.
Philadelphia Flyers center Trevor Zegras (46) looks on during the warmups before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Lenovo Center
October 1, 2026

NHL Says Players in ‘Hot for Hockey’ Campaign Approved Content

The romance novel–inspired marketing effort has received mixed reviews.
Sep 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) talks to a referee after she went into the stands to confront a fan during game two of the first round for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
October 1, 2026

A’ja Wilson Avoids Further Penalty After Incident With Fever Fan

The Aces and Fever play a do-or-die Game 3 on Thursday night.