Friday, November 13, 2026

Report: NWSL Expanding League With Three New Franchises

  • NWSL is in late stages of talks to add teams in Utah, San Francisco, and Boston.
  • The first two teams will begin play in 2024, with San Francisco launching at a later date.
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman is likely following through on her previous promise to expand the National Women’s Soccer League.

The NWSL is in the late stages of discussions to add teams in Utah, San Francisco, and Boston, according to a Wall Street Journal report. 

The first two teams will begin to play in 2024, with San Francisco launching at a later date.

The Boston and San Francisco teams would pay hefty entrance fees of about $50 million each.

NWSL

NWSL Increases Salary Cap, Focuses on Reform and Growth

The NWSL has increased its salary cap by 25%.
January 13, 2023

On the other hand, the Utah team will pay between $2-5 million as part of a previous agreement.

Ownership groups feature star-studded casts — the Bay Area team includes Aly Wagner, Brandi Chastain, and other women’s players. The Boston team has funding from Jennifer Epstein, daughter of Celtics co-owner Robert Epstein.

The news comes on the heels of a year of ups and downs for the league. It was rocked by a sexual misconduct scandal but also grew in popularity.

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

Jessica Pegula returns to Linda Noskova during their last round-robin group match at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, Calif., on Thurs., Nov. 12, 2026.

WTA Chair Believes She Has Roadmap Out of Financial Hole

The WTA’s fragile finances have prompted concerns from players.

How Spirit’s Stadium Ended Up in a Scheduling Scramble

Audi Field hosts an NWSL semifinal and college football game Saturday.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Brentford - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - October 10, 2026 Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara applauds fans after the match

English Soccer Still Inundated by Gambling Ads Despite Jersey Ban

The ban on front-of-shirt gambling ads looks strict, but it’s largely cosmetic.
Purdue University Northwest women's flag football

How Much Women’s College Flag Football Coaches Make

Flag coaching pay varies by more than $100,000 across NCAA divisions.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/13/26 – NFL Ratings Records, Softball Players Unionize, Skubal Deal Looms

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?
Tracy McGrady Fornt Office Sports
First at FOS

Tracy McGrady Says Magic Reached Out About Retiring His Jersey

McGrady played 4 of his 16 NBA seasons in Orlando.
November 12, 2026

Softball Players Reach Deal With Athletes Unlimited to Form Union

The league recognized the union a month after the group launched.
November 12, 2026

Boras Sees Skubal Deal Coming Before Expected MLB Lockout

A potentially historic free agent deal runs up against economic uncertainty.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
November 11, 2026

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

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

WTGL Debut Averages 97,000 Viewers on ESPN

The league has eight more regular season matches in the next month.