The National Women’s Soccer League is pressing ahead with plans to expand beyond 20 teams, with commissioner Jessica Berman confirming the league will soon open a financial data room for prospective investors interested in teams 19 and 20. Berman made the announcement on Thursday during the Leaders Week London conference, emphasizing that the league’s growth will continue when the market conditions are right.
Currently, the NWSL has 16 teams competing in the 2026 season. The league is set to welcome Atlanta and Columbus as expansion teams in 2028, each commanding record expansion fees of $165 million and $205 million respectively. These new franchises are backed by ownership groups linked to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns, signaling significant investment from established sports entities.
Berman explained that the league will not rush decisions on the next two franchises. “We’ve decided, given the scale of the league at this point, that we’ll make decisions when we feel like the market is ready to come in,” she said. The financial data room will allow potential investors to review the league’s economic status, providing transparency before they commit to an expansion bid. “We want to get through the season, update all that financial information and put our best foot forward because there’s a lot of great stories to tell from a business and financial perspective,” Berman added.
This season saw the addition of Boston Legacy and Denver Summit, which grew the league from 14 to 16 teams. Expansion fees have risen dramatically alongside this growth, reflecting increasing interest and investment in women’s professional soccer in the US.
Despite the ambitious expansion, questions remain about the stability of existing clubs. Racing Louisville, for example, has been linked with efforts to secure additional investment amid speculation about a possible relocation. Berman acknowledged these concerns but reassured that investor interest remains strong. “I don’t think 20 is the max, I think 20 is the next touch point,” she said. “Anytime we look at expansion, we evaluate the supply-demand dynamic and make sure that demand continues to be high, and that certainly is the case today.”
Berman highlighted the vast geographical size of the United States and compared the NWSL's growth ambitions to other major sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, and NHL, each of which operates at least 30 franchises nationwide. “Our country is the size of a continent,” she said. “It’s not going to happen tomorrow, but it is our vision to be able to compete on a national basis. In order for us to do that, we need to have a presence across the country.”
Concerns that rapid expansion might dilute playing standards have been dismissed by Berman. She pointed out that the talent pool continues to grow as more players train and wait for opportunities to play professionally. “These players have just been training, playing and waiting for an opportunity to play in a professional league,” Berman said. “We’re excited to build the scale that gives more players that opportunity.”
The league’s current lineup includes Portland Thorns, Chicago Red Stars, Houston Dash, North Carolina Courage, Seattle Reign, Orlando Pride, Gotham FC, Kansas City Current, Washington Spirit, Angel City, Racing Louisville FC, San Diego Wave, Utah Royals FC, Bay FC, Denver Summit FC, and Boston Legacy FC.
With the data room opening soon and no set deadline for awarding teams 19 and 20, the NWSL is positioning itself to maintain momentum in expanding its national footprint and financial base. Berman’s remarks signal that the league is ready to proceed cautiously but confidently as it navigates the next phase of growth.
According to Yahoo Sports.
