Tag: Denver 2026

NWSL: Denver officially introduced as the newest expansion team

On Thursday, January 30th, the National Women’s Soccer League officially announced Denver as the city of its second expansion franchise for the 2026 season. As previously reported, the expansion fee for Denver is $110 million.

The NWSL’s newest franchise is led by Rob Cohen (corporate bio), the Chairman and CEO of IMA Financial Group (website), who is the club’s controlling owner and its representative on the NWSL Board of Governors. Mellody Hobson (corporate bio), Co-CEO & President of Ariel Investments (website), will serve as the club’s Alternate Governor. Ariel Investments is the parent company of a new investment firm, Project Level (website), which will have an ownership stake in the Denver club.

Additional investors include siblings Jon-Erik Borgen and Kaia Borgen Moritz, plus their spouses; Dhiren Jhaveri and his wife, Neelima Joshi; and Molly Coors.

Denver’s ownership has plans to build its own soccer stadium as well as a dedicated team training facility.

When Denver and its fellow 2026 expansion franchise, Boston, join the NWSL in 2026, the league will have sixteen clubs.

Continue reading “NWSL: Denver officially introduced as the newest expansion team”

NWSL News of Note: Gotham signs UCLA’s Lilly Reale, Dash hire Fabrice Gautrat as head coach, Arin Wright re-ups with Racing, Emily Van Egmond departs Wave, Denver “secures NWSL team” per Sportico

Leading the notables for the first days of 2025 is Gotham’s signing of UCLA center-back Lilly Reale, who is the current Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

In other player news, Arin Wright is set to stay with Racing Louisville for at least two more seasons. Meanwhile, Australian international Emily van Egmond leaves the San Diego Wave a year early via a “mutual” departure.

In coaching news, the Houston Dash finally have a permanent head coach: Fabrice Gautrat, who was an assistant coach with the North Carolina Courage and, before that, the Chicago Red Stars.

Additionally, on Thursday, Sportico reported that the Denver bid group for the second 2026 expansion team had “secured” an NWSL franchise and made its first expansion fee payment.

Continue reading “NWSL News of Note: Gotham signs UCLA’s Lilly Reale, Dash hire Fabrice Gautrat as head coach, Arin Wright re-ups with Racing, Emily Van Egmond departs Wave, Denver “secures NWSL team” per Sportico”