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Friday, November 22, 2024

OL Reign Becomes Third NWSL Club Currently For Sale

  • Raine Group has been hired to lead OL Groupe’s sale process of OL Reign.
  • The Seattle-based Reign join the Portland Thorns and Chicago Red Stars as NWSL clubs seeking new owners.
NWSL has three teams up for sale.
Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle-based NWSL club OL Reign is up for sale.

OL Groupe has hired The Raine Group — which is also involved in the ongoing sale process of Manchester United — to find a buyer.

French newspaper L’Équipe reported Wednesday that OL Groupe agreed to sell a majority stake in its French women’s soccer team Olympique Lyonnais to American businesswoman Michele Kang, who also owns the NWSL’s Washington Spirit. 

OL Groupe responded with a statement noting that the report held “inaccurate information” and no such agreement was in place to sell Olympique Lyonnais. In the same statement, OL Groupe announced its attempt to sell OL Reign. 

An NWSL spokesperson said the league is aware of OL Groupe’s interest in selling the Reign and will “work closely with them to ensure any potential owner(s) are aligned with our league’s vision and values,” according to The Athletic. 

The club joins the Chicago Red Stars and Portland Timbers as NWSL clubs on the market. Upward of 10 suitors are interested in bidding for the Red Stars, with a deal aimed at being finalized this spring, while a group led by former Nike executive Melanie Strong has expressed interest in buying the Thorns and their Portland Timbers MLS affiliate.

Both the Red Stars and Thorns are seeking new buyers after their incumbent owners dealt with investigations into team coaches abusing NWSL players.

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