Thursday, November 12, 2026

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.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Softball Players Reach Deal With Athletes Unlimited to Form Union

The league recognized the union a month after the group launched.

USMNT Set to Lose Pochettino As Manchester United Fires Coach

Pochettino has a $10 million buyout, plus more for his assistants.

WTGL Debut Averages 97,000 Viewers on ESPN

The league has eight more regular season matches in the next month.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/12/26 – LIV Liquidation Plan, Polymarket Layoffs, Russini’s Crashed Debut

0:00

Featured Today

West Wind Mahjong

Mahjong Mania Has Come for College Sports

Bespoke retailers are cashing in with officially licensed mahjong sets.
November 6, 2026

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North
November 4, 2026

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
October 30, 2026

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match
October 21, 2026

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?

Boras Sees Skubal Deal Coming Before Expected MLB Lockout

A potentially historic free agent deal runs up against economic uncertainty.
Nov 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jaylen Brown (7) controls the ball against Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
November 11, 2026

NBC Plays Up Tatum-Brown Rivalry With Netflix-Style Open

Tatum’s Celtics and Brown’s Sixers will meet three more times this season.
November 11, 2026

Mike Tomlin Knows Coaching Talk Is ‘Going to Come Up’ Soon

The ex-Steelers coach is “enjoying” his NBC Sports role.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
Nov 8, 2026; Madrid, ESP; A general overall view of the 2026 NFL Madrid Game at an empty Bernabeu Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
November 11, 2026

NFL Network’s Europe Games Average a Record 6.9M in First ESPN Season

NFL Network games this season also stream on the ESPN app.
November 11, 2026

NBA Scores, Standings Still Lopsided Despite Tanking Reforms

The NBA approved new lottery rules in May.
November 10, 2026

WTA Defends Playing Year-End Finals in Smaller Indian Wells Stadium

The WTA attributed the decision to a “condensed planning timeline.”
Aug 20, 2026; Westfield, Indiana, USA; Joaquin Niemann tees off on hole three during the first round of the LIV Golf Indianapolis golf tournament at The Club at Chatham Hills.
November 10, 2026

LIV Golf Seeks to Begin Liquidation in Early 2027

After the plan is approved, it will take months or years for the process to play out.