“$205M Power Play As Haslam Sports Group Bets Big on Women’s Soccer Boom in NWSL”

A group led by Haslam Sports Group paid $205 million to bring a franchise to Columbus, setting yet another record expansion price for the NWSL. The fee is a portion of the almost $300 million the ownership group plans to spend on the team's launch, which also includes personnel and physical infrastructure.

“As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step. This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in women’s sports,” said NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman. “We’re excited to bring the world’s most competitive women’s soccer league to Columbus and to see this community embrace the game in a new way.”

“Owners and cities who see the demonstrated growth from a business perspective over the last several years and look on the horizon agree that there’s value to capture and that getting in now makes sense,” Berman said.

“When you see that the league is breaking records in every category attendance, viewership, fandom, growth it's an incredibly exciting time to be involved,” said HSG Managing Partner Whitney Haslam Johnson, who will serve as the team’s governor. “We are building a women’s training facility, but in conjunction with already having a stadium built, we think it’s an incredible opportunity.”