Monday, June 15, 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

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.

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

America’s World Cup Opening Weekend Was (Mostly) a Success

Attendance is high even though tickets were pricey.
June 14, 2026; Monterrey, Mexico; Sweden's Mattias Svanberg celebrates scoring their fourth goal with teammates following a VAR check.

Gareth Bale Says the ‘Normal Fan’ Is Being Priced Out of World Cup

Of 48 teams competing, 26 have average get-in prices of higher than $1,000.
Gareth Bale
Exclusive

Gareth Bale Launches Sports Fund, Still Eyeing Cardiff Bid

“It’s about being patient, finding the right club, and the right path for us to take.”
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.

Featured Today

Ai sports slop

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Germany v Luxembourg - Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim, Germany - October 10, 2025 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann
June 4, 2026

‘Weird Corners of the World’: How to Find a World Cup Coach

National associations look for a winning record—and also hope for serendipity.
June 3, 2026

The Elite High Schools Hosting World Cup Teams

Spain, Morocco, Croatia, and Switzerland chose schools as their tournament base camps.
Frances Cabral-Delaney
May 29, 2026

How Arsenal Fandom Went ‘Manic’

“People do not become Arsenal fans because it’s easy,” says Zohran Mamdani.
USGA, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club

Shinnecock Ready to Shine As Unofficial U.S. Open Anchor Site

Shinnecock last hosted in the U.S. Open in 2018.
June 15, 2026

Can the Knicks Get Another Enormous Star Discount?

Karl-Anthony Towns is up next for an extension.
Apr 2, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Tom Dundon, the new owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, before a game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
June 15, 2026

Tom Dundon Won a Stanley Cup—Now He Needs to Hire an NBA Coach

Dundon bought the Trail Blazers in March.
Sponsored

How Long Acre Tavern Is Built to Handle Soccer’s Biggest Moments

Learn how Spectrum Business helps keep Long Acre Tavern in Times Square connected and ready to serve soccer fans from around the world.
Jun 8, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Director Spike Lee watches courtside during game three of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Opinion
June 15, 2026

Knicks’ Championship Rings Should Be for Team—Not Celebrities

Some celebrities believe Spike Lee deserves a championship ring.
June 14, 2026

Hurricanes Finally Break Through for First Stanley Cup Since 2006

Carolina extended its dominance and claimed its second title.
June 14, 2026

UFC Freedom 250 Goes Off Despite Political and Weather Drama

UFC’s “one-of-one” White House event happened. 
June 14, 2026

Eric Trump Accused of Seeking UFC Fight Intel, Calls It ‘Fake’

A prominent announcer posted, and then deleted, the damning exchange.