December 17th 2024.
Denver is buzzing with excitement as news of a potential new addition to the city's sports scene has been revealed. It's been over two decades since the last professional women's team graced the city, but that could soon change.
According to a source close to the negotiations, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is in the final stages of adding Denver as its 16th franchise. This information was confirmed to The Denver Post on Tuesday, although the source wished to remain anonymous until the deal is officially finalized.
"After much consideration, the league has chosen Denver as the winning bid for its expansion franchise, beating out other cities like Cincinnati and Cleveland," the source shared. The team is set to start playing in the 2026 season, alongside another new team in Boston. The news was first reported by Sportico.
When reached for comment, the winning bid group, known as "For Denver FC," did not immediately respond. However, it's been reported that an official announcement from the league may still be a few weeks or even months away.
Although nothing has been officially signed yet, it's been reported that the expansion fee for For Denver FC would be in the range of $105 million to $120 million. This would more than double the amount paid by other recent expansion teams in 2023.
Last month, For Denver FC revealed its plans to build its own soccer-specific stadium and training facility, with the goal of starting the 2026 season in a temporary venue. However, the location of this stadium has yet to be announced.
Denver is currently the largest American city without a professional women's sports team, and it's been without one since the Colorado Xplosion disbanded in the late 1990s. The city has been eagerly awaiting the return of a women's team, with the launch of For Denver FC's bid back in 2023 garnering support from Colorado players in the league, including United States National Team captain and Golden native Lindsey Horan.
Since then, the group has been actively promoting their brand through grassroots efforts, hosting watch parties at bars across the city. Their team includes recognizable figures such as former NWSL player and Colorado Rapids' Apple TV personality Jordan Angeli, as well as CEO of insurance company Parsyl and former Obama administration official Ben Hubbard.
The group's lead investor is Rob Cohen, CEO of IMA Financial Group, who also led Denver's attempt to secure a WNBA franchise in the league's most recent expansion round. Although that effort was ultimately unsuccessful, Cohen remains optimistic about the potential for a successful women's team in Denver.
The NWSL has been expanding rapidly in recent years, with four new teams added since 2021. Other cities that have joined the league include Louisville, Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area. Original hubs in Kansas City and Utah have also made a return, and Boston is set to join in 2026.
Colorado has long been known as a breeding ground for women's soccer talent, with a strong presence in the sport dating back to the 1990s. This includes the likes of April Heinrichs, who led the first USWNT at a World Cup, and continues to this day with players like Lindsey Horan, Mallory Swanson, and Sophia Smith, who are all from Colorado. The state's impact on women's soccer is further evident in the number of Coloradans currently playing in the NWSL, as well as the recent appointment of former Real Colorado head coach Lorne Donaldson as the head coach of the Chicago Stars.
With the elimination of the draft in the league's upcoming 12th season, significant changes are expected. This draft had previously seen a Coloradan selected every year since its inception. It's an exciting time for women's soccer in Denver, and sports fans can't wait to see what the future holds for For Denver FC and the NWSL. Want to stay updated on all things sports in Denver? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all the latest analysis and news on the city's teams.
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