• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 3, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

NWSL Officially Makes Denver Its 16th Franchise

The league announced Thursday the new team, starting play in 2026, will have its own new stadium and practice facility.

Soccer balls
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The NWSL is officially headed to Denver.

The league announced Thursday that the Mile High City will become its 16th franchise in the 2026 season. The news was first reported earlier this month with a record-breaking expansion fee of $110 million, more than double the previous NWSL record.

The ownership group is led by Rob Cohen and Mellody Hobson. Cohen, the CEO of IMA Financial Group, founded in 2001 a local commission to help bring events like all-star games, the Women’s Final Four, and Frozen Four to Denver. He also led an attempt at landing Denver a WNBA team. Cohen will be the controlling owner, with Hobson as the alternate governor. Hobson, the former Starbucks chair, is going in on the Denver team with former Washington Commanders president Jason Wright through a firm they run together focused on women’s sports. Others involved include Jon-Erik Borgen, Kaia Borgen Moritz, Neelima Joshi, Dhiren Jhaveri, and Molly Coors.

The ownership says it’s finalizing plans to build a new stadium and practice facility specifically for the team, and those plans—along with the team’s name, colors, and logo—will be unveiled later.

“The club’s plans for a purpose-built stadium and state-of-the-art training facility demonstrate a commitment to providing world-class environments for our players and fans alike,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said in a statement. “With this ownership group’s vision and dedication, we are confident that Denver NWSL will set new standards for excellence on and off the pitch, inspiring the next generation of players and supporters across the Rocky Mountain region.”

A number of well-known USWNT stars, including Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Lindsey Horan, are from Colorado.

“Despite producing some of the world’s greatest players and being home to the best sports fans in the country, Denver has been deprived of its own professional women’s team,” Denver mayor Mike Johnston said in a statement. “That changes today.”

Expansion fees for teams in Boston and the Bay Area were both $53 million, though the Northern California ownership group committed $125 million total for the team. Bos Nation FC will also join the league in 2026.

Denver NWSL credited a grassroots group called For Denver FC for being “instrumental” in helping to rally investors in fall 2023 and pursue a bid. Nicole Glaros, Jordan Angeli, Tom Dunmore, and Ben Hubbard led the group, with which Denver NWSL says it will continue to collaborate as it builds its fan base.

Denver beat out competing bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati, the second of which was joined by Caitlin Clark.

The team had already launched a website Thursday and was accepting $30.30 deposits for season tickets.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Steve Pagliuca

Boston Group Has Deal to Buy Sun For WNBA-Record $325 Million

The league office cautioned that any Boston move was subject to approval.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Leo Messi
exclusive

MLS Commissioner Don Garber Defends Messi Suspension

Messi was punished for skipping the MLS All-Star Game.

Ex-NBPA Chief on WNBA CBA Challenges, NBA Stake in League

Tamika Tremaglio was a consultant for the 2020 WNBA CBA.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.

MLB’s Speedway Classic Breaks Record Despite Weather Woes

The special-event game is played, but Sunday’s fan turnout is far less.
August 1, 2025

Cubs Land 2027 MLB All-Star Game After Lengthy Pursuit

MLB will bring the Midsummer Classic to one of baseball’s cherished ballparks.
August 3, 2025

Bristol Rain Pushes MLB’s Ambitious Speedway Game to Sunday

MLB will look to replay the postponed game on Sunday afternoon.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Michael Johnson
exclusive
July 31, 2025

Grand Slam Track Misses Deadline to Pay Athletes $3 Million

The league said it would pay athletes for their Kingston meet Thursday.
Jul 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) walks to the dugout after the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Target Field.
July 31, 2025

MLB’s Biggest Buyers in Frantic Deadline Weren’t Top Markets

Teams besides the Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees dominate MLB’s trade deadline.
Happy Gilmore 2
July 31, 2025

Is ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Really About LIV vs. PGA Tour?

The movie’s main plotline may sound familiar to many golf fans.
Bristol Motor Speedway
July 31, 2025

MLB’s Long Road to Its Most Unusual Game Yet

The special-event game features a unique blending of baseball and racing.