On Tuesday, the National Women’s Soccer League revealed that it has granted an expansion franchise to Columbus, Ohio, which will increase the league’s total to 18 teams when the new club enters the competition in 2028.
The ownership consortium is spearheaded by Haslam Sports Group, which also owns the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League and oversees operations for Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew.
“As the NWSL continues to expand rapidly, the addition of Columbus is a logical progression,” stated NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman.
“This city boasts a rich soccer heritage, a solid history of support for the sport at the highest level, and an ownership group dedicated to making significant, long-term contributions to women’s sports.
“We’re thrilled to introduce the world’s premier women’s soccer league to Columbus and look forward to seeing the community embrace the sport in fresh and exciting ways.”
The new team, which will compete at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, is set to launch in 2028, coinciding with the debut of a new club in Atlanta. An official name, colours, and crest for the Columbus team will be determined with input from fans throughout Ohio, according to a league announcement.
The ownership group also encompasses insurance provider Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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