NWSL Awards 18th Franchise to Columbus for Record $205 Million Fee, Led by Haslam Sports Group
- The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has awarded its 18th franchise to Columbus, Ohio, with the team set to begin play in 2028.
- The Columbus NWSL team will be owned by the same consortium that controls Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, including Haslam Sports Group, Nationwide, and Drs.
- The expansion fee of $205 million is nearly double the $110 million paid by Denver Summit FC the previous year and $40 million more than the $165 million...
The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has awarded its 18th franchise to Columbus, Ohio, with the team set to begin play in 2028. The ownership group, led by Haslam Sports Group, will pay a record expansion fee of $205 million, the highest in league history.
The Columbus NWSL team will be owned by the same consortium that controls Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew, including Haslam Sports Group, Nationwide, and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards. AEP and Ohio Health have joined as founding partners. The Haslams also own the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and hold a controlling interest in the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
The expansion fee of $205 million is nearly double the $110 million paid by Denver Summit FC the previous year and $40 million more than the $165 million paid by Arthur Blank for the Atlanta franchise awarded just six months prior. Other recent expansion teams, Bay FC and Boston Legacy, paid approximately $53 million each for their NWSL entries.
To launch the franchise, the ownership group is seeking a minimum of $300 million in private investment to cover the expansion fee as well as the full build-out of facilities, staffing, and infrastructure. Sources indicate this funding is necessary to support the club’s debut and long-term sustainability.
The team will play its home matches at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, the current home of the Columbus Crew, which has a capacity of 20,000. Haslam Sports Group has committed to constructing a state-of-the-art training center ahead of the team’s inaugural season in 2028.
Whitney Haslam Johnson, managing partner of Haslam Sports Group and the franchise’s governor, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating the group believes in the power of women’s sports and is honored to bring the 18th team into the league. She emphasized the potential impact of the NWSL team on Columbus and future generations.
The NWSL continues to expand, with the league commissioner previously indicating interest in growing to a 32-team structure in the future. The addition of Columbus marks the latest step in the league’s expansion under a rolling franchise award process with no fixed timeline for new teams.