List of owners of National Women's Soccer League teams

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National Women's Soccer League owners own a share in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and have the right to operate a team. Players' rights to play in the league are held an individual team. [1] Each NWSL team has an investor-operator that is a shareholder in the league. The league has a profit-sharing arrangement amongst the teams. [2]

Contents

As of April 2023, the league has 14 investor-operator individuals or groups for its 12 current and two future clubs.

Teams

Angel City FC

Angel City FC was founded in 2020 by Kara Nortman, Natalie Portman, Alexis Ohanian, and Julie Uhrman. [3] Other notable investors include: [4] [3]

Bay FC (2024)

Chicago Red Stars

Arnim Whisler was a co-founding owner of the Chicago Red Stars in 2007 in the Women's Professional Soccer, the top American league at the time. [8] [9] He was owner of the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL from the inception of the league in 2012 [10] until September 1, 2023, when Whisler and all minority owners of the Red Stars sold their stakes to an investment group led by Laura Ricketts, which included Debra Cafaro, Jennifer Pritzker, and Hilary Rosen. [11] [12]

Houston Dash

The majority owner of the Houston Dash is Ted Segal. [13]

Other investors include Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Jake Silverstein, and Ben Guill. [14]

James Harden joined the ownership group in 2019. [15]

Kansas City Current

Lead investors of the Kansas City Current are Angie and Chris Long. Other minority investors include Jen Gulvik and Brittany Matthews and her husband Patrick Mahomes. [16] (2020–present; started play in 2021) [17]

NJ/NY Gotham FC

The founding investor of NJ/NY Gotham FC is Thomas Hofstetter [18] Since 2012, majority owners have included Tammy Murphy, Phil Murphy, Steven Temares. [19] In 2020, Ed Nalbandian joined as a minority owner. [20] In 2022, Kristin Bernert, Karen Bryant, Carli Lloyd, Sue Bird, Kevin Durant, and Rich Kleiman joined as minority owners. [21] [22] [23] [24]

North Carolina Courage

Since 2017, Steve Malik has been the majority and managing owner of the North Carolina Courage and served as its chairman. [25]

OL Reign

Orlando Pride

Portland Thorns FC

Racing Louisville FC

San Diego Wave FC

Washington Spirit

Utah Royals

Former teams

Boston Breakers

FC Kansas City

Western New York Flash

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Red Stars</span> American professional soccer club

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">NJ/NY Gotham FC</span> Soccer team

NJ/NY Gotham FC is a professional women's soccer team based in Harrison, New Jersey. Founded in 2006 as Jersey Sky Blue, the team was known as Sky Blue FC from 2008 until 2020. A founding member of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) in 2013, Sky Blue FC also played in the Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) from 2009 to 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Women's Soccer League</span> Professional soccer league, highest level of womens soccer in the United States

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is a professional women's soccer league at the top of the United States league system. Headquartered in New York City, it is owned by the teams and, until 2020, was under a management contract with the United States Soccer Federation.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) federation players were players whose salaries for playing in the NWSL were paid for by their respective national federations from 2013 to 2021. American federation players were contracted to the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) and not to their respective NWSL clubs, whereas Canadian federation players were contracted directly to their respective NWSL clubs. Federation players were sometimes known as allocated players, allocation players, or subsidized players, which occasionally created confusion with players paid using NWSL allocation money, a mechanism introduced before the 2020 NWSL season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seattle Reign FC</span> Womens soccer team based in Seattle, Washington

Seattle Reign FC is an American professional women's soccer team based in Seattle, Washington. Founded by Bill and Teresa Predmore in 2012, it was one of eight inaugural members of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). In 2020, OL Groupe, the parent company of French clubs Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, became the team's majority owner and the team played as OL Reign from 2020 to 2023. Laura Harvey is the team's head coach; she led the team to two consecutive NWSL Shield wins in 2014 and 2015 and a third in 2022.

The following is a compilation of notable records and statistics for teams and players in the National Women's Soccer League, which started in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NWSL awards</span> Annual recognition awarded by the National Womens Soccer League

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) presents six annual awards to individual players. The Golden Boot award is presented to the top scorer at the end of the regular season, while the Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards are voted on by various league constituents. As of 2021, these awards are voted upon in two rounds: in the first round, players (50%), owners/general managers/coaches (25%), and media (25%) vote to determine the nominees; in the second round, players (50%), owners/general managers/coaches (20%), media (20%), and fans (10%) vote among the nominees to determine the winners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NWSL expansion</span>

The expansion of the National Women's Soccer League began with the league's sophomore season in 2014, when the league expanded to a ninth team in Houston, and is an ongoing process that currently has seen five expansions, three direct or indirect relocations, and one contraction. The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) was established as the top level of professional women's soccer in the United States in 2013 in the wake of the defunct Women's United Soccer Association and Women's Professional Soccer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina Courage</span> American professional womens soccer team in North Carolina

The North Carolina Courage is a professional women's soccer team based in Cary, North Carolina. It was founded on January 9, 2017, after Stephen Malik acquired National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchise rights from the Western New York Flash. The Courage is affiliated with the men's team North Carolina FC of the United Soccer League and plays its home games at the WakeMed Soccer Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Orlando Pride season</span> Orlando Pride 2021 soccer season

The 2021 Orlando Pride season was Orlando Pride's sixth season in the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2021 Racing Louisville FC season was the club's first season of play. Racing Louisville competed in the National Women's Soccer League, the top flight of professional women's soccer in the United States.

The 2022 National Women's Soccer League season was the tenth season of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States. Including the NWSL's two professional predecessors, Women's Professional Soccer (2009–2011) and the Women's United Soccer Association (2001–2003), it was the 16th overall season of FIFA and USSF-sanctioned top division women's soccer in the United States. Twelve teams competed in the league, including two expansion teams, San Diego Wave FC and Angel City FC.

The 2022 NWSL Draft was the 10th annual meeting of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchises to select eligible college players. It was held on December 18, 2021, and hosted remotely by CBS Sports.

The 2021 Houston Dash season was the team's eighth season as an American professional women's soccer team in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL).

The 2022 NJ/NY Gotham FC season was the team's 13th season as a professional women's soccer team and their tenth season as a member of the National Women's Soccer League, the top division of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2021 North Carolina Courage season was the team's fifth season as a professional women's soccer team. North Carolina Courage plays in the National Women's Soccer League, the top tier of women's soccer in the United States.

The 2023 NWSL Draft presented by Ally was the eleventh annual meeting of National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) franchises to select amateur players above the age of 18 playing in the United States who exhausted, lost, or renounced any remaining collegiate eligibility, as well as select players that the NWSL had already signed in advance. It was held on January 12, 2023, at the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia and covered by various linear and online platforms of CBS Sports.

References

  1. ↑ "Roster Rules". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  2. ↑ Murray, Caitlin (October 13, 2017). "A Blueprint for Women's Sports Success. But Can It Be Copied?". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Angel City Confirms Name as Angel City Football Club and Officially Joins National Women's Soccer League" (Press release). National Women’s Soccer League. October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Natalie Portman part of L.A. ownership group for NWSL expansion team in 2022". Los Angeles Times . July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Matthew Stafford joins NWSL's long list of athlete investors". Just Women's Sports. March 24, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ Caron, Emily; Novy-Williams, Eben (April 4, 2023). "Sheryl Sandberg Joins Ownership of NWSL's Bay Area Expansion Team". Sportico . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  7. ↑ Novy-Williams, Eben (June 3, 2023). "NBA Champion Andre Iguodala Invests in New NWSL Club Bay FC". Sportico . Yahoo! . Retrieved June 4, 2023.
  8. ↑ "NWSL's Chicago Red Stars for Sale as League Overhaul Expands". Yahoo! Finance. December 2022. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  9. ↑ "Chicago Red Stars Introduce Groundbreaking New Ownership Group". March 2021.
  10. ↑ Herrera, Sandra (2018-03-09). "Independently Chicago: One-On-One With Red Stars Owner Arnim Whisler". Hot Time In Old Town. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  11. ↑ "Laura Ricketts-Led Group of Diverse Investors Buys Chicago Red Stars in $60 Million Deal" (Press release). Chicago Red Stars. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  12. ↑ Montemurro, Meghan (September 1, 2023). "Why Laura Ricketts jumped at the 'opportunity to have a culture change, to really write a new chapter' as owner of the Chicago Red Stars". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ "New owner brings energy to the Club". houstondynamo.com. 2021-06-28. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  14. ↑ "MLS: Brener is new Dynamo majority owner". ESPN.com. 2015-12-16. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  15. ↑ "Rockets' James Harden joins ownership of Dynamo and Dash". Houston Chronicle. July 18, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Mahomes expands business empire with Kansas City Current investment". Sport Business. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Kansas City Returns to the NWSL as Expansion Team in 2021" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  18. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (26 December 2012). "Sky Blue FC gears up for NWSL – Equalizer Soccer" . Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  19. ↑ "Ownership". www.gothamfc.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  20. ↑ "Sky Blue FC: Ed Nalbandian new minority owner, Tammy Murphy named chairwoman". Orlando Sentinel. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  21. ↑ "NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Two Top-Level Sport Executives to Ownership". NJ/NY Gotham FC. 2022-03-15. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  22. ↑ "Carli Lloyd Rejoins NJ/NY Gotham FC in New Role as Minority Owner". NJ/NY Gotham FC. 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  23. ↑ LoRé, Michael. "Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman Join Gotham FC As Minority Owners". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-05-05.
  24. ↑ Scott, Jelani (29 July 2022). "Sue Bird Becomes Minority Investor in NWSL's Gotham FC". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  25. ↑ "New for 2017: North Carolina Courage". Soccer Stadium Digest. 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  26. ↑ "Naomi Osaka invests in NWSL's North Carolina Courage, becoming team owner". ESPN.com. Reuters. January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  27. ↑ "North Carolina Courage Announces Expanded Ownership Group" (Press release). North Carolina Courage. May 14, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  28. ↑ "North Carolina Courage Announces Additional Group of New Investors" (Press release). North Carolina Courage. July 27, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Capitol Broadcasting Company increases ownership in NC Courage". WRAL Sports (Press release). August 4, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Wimbledon, U.S. Open finalist Ons Jabeur invests in NC Courage". WRAL-TV . August 25, 2023. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  31. ↑ Evans, Jayda (February 2, 2022). "OL Reign leadership changing as founders Teresa and Bill Predmore step down". Seattle Times . Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  32. ↑ Evans, Jayda (April 12, 2023). "OL Groupe looking to sell ownership stake in OL Reign". Seattle Times . Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Wilf Family Completes Purchase of Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Pride". orlandocitysc.com. 2021-06-21. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  34. ↑ "Orlando City owner sells minority stake". ESPN.com. 2018-03-28. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  35. ↑ Badenhausen, Kurt (September 28, 2022). "LAFC Tops MLS' Most Valuable Teams at $900 Million". Sportico . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  36. ↑ Clarke, Ryan (September 28, 2022). "Merritt Paulson sold minority stake in Portland Timbers, Thorns last year". The Oregonian . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  37. ↑ "What they're saying about Portland Thorns FC crest and team name (links)". oregonlive.com. 2012-12-15. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  38. ↑ Small, Jordan (February 8, 2022). "Washington Spirit Finalize New Ownership" (Press release). Washington Spirit . Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  39. ↑ Caron, Emily (February 8, 2022). "Washington Spirit Sell for Record $35 Million to Michele Kang". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  40. ↑ Anderson, Jason (December 29, 2020). "Y. Michele Kang joins Washington Spirit ownership group". Black and Red United. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  41. ↑ Linehan, Meg; Maurer, Pablo (February 16, 2021). "Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush Hager among group buying stake in Washington Spirit". The Athletic . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Washington Spirit Owner May Sell Majority Stake In NWSL Club". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. October 10, 2018. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  43. ↑ Goff, Stephen (December 27, 2018). "NWSL's Washington Spirit hires Richie Burke as head coach". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  44. ↑ McDonald, Ryan (2018-09-12). "'Jump on this train, because it's going somewhere': Utah Royals FC ends 1st season with eye toward future". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  45. ↑ Rasmussen, Karl (March 11, 2023). "NWSL Announces Utah Royals to Return As Expansion Team in 2024". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  46. ↑ "Last-gasp bid to save Boston Breakers soccer team fell short - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  47. ↑ "FC Kansas City announces new ownership". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  48. ↑ "FC KANSAS CITY UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP". SoccerToday. 2017-01-21. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
  49. ↑ "WNY Flash moving to North Carolina, report says". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-03-09.
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