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Jeff Kassouf
Multiple Authors
The NWSL has granted an expansion franchise to Columbus, Ohio, under an ownership group led by the Haslam Sports Group. This new team will commence play in 2028.
An NWSL representative informed ESPN that the ownership group will pay a $205 million expansion fee.
This Columbus franchise will join a team in Atlanta, also launching in 2028, bringing the total number of teams in the NWSL to 18.
“Columbus has a profound historical connection to soccer, and we are thrilled to bring that into the women’s game,” said NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman shortly after arriving at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport for the announcement.
The new NWSL team will compete at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in downtown Columbus, home to MLS’s Columbus Crew. The Haslam Sports Group also owns the Crew and the Cleveland Browns of the NFL and has shares in the Milwaukee Bucks and investments in the WNBA.
Improvements to ScottsMiracle-Gro Field will be made before the 2028 season, including the addition of a locker room tailored for the NWSL team, HSG managing partner Whitney Haslam Johnson told ESPN.
“This is a significant opportunity, and the timing aligns perfectly for further investment,” Haslam Johnson, who will serve as the team’s governor on the NWSL board, told ESPN.
She noted that the name and branding for the team are still under development.
A crucial aspect of the Columbus expansion bid is the plan to establish a tailored training facility for the NWSL team on the city’s southwest side. The ownership group is expected to invest approximately $300 million for both the expansion fee and infrastructure development.
This includes $50 million in funding from the government—split evenly between the city and Franklin County, each contributing $25 million.
The Columbus City Council approved its funding in a divided vote following a contentious public meeting, with Franklin County following suit the next day. The training facility will be located at a park previously earmarked for renovations to serve adaptive use in an underserved area.
In return, the Haslam Sports Group will allocate $3 million to assist the city in finding a new location for the park.
“Public-private partnerships are essential. We are one of 18 teams in the NWSL, navigating a highly competitive landscape,” said Haslam Johnson when asked about the necessity of the $50 million compared to solely private funding. “It’s vital for public backing of these teams. This support is a key differentiator in securing teams and the backing of various stakeholders.”
Berman emphasized that “evidence of public backing serves as an essential litmus test and proxy” when awarding an expansion team. She noted that women’s sports teams have historically received little government funding.
“It’s important to highlight that public investment has long been directed toward men’s teams,” Berman remarked. “Looking back, this support has been a significant factor in the success of men’s teams in the U.S.”
“Our goal is to ensure communities and public sectors give proper consideration to set these teams up for success. We see them as community assets and believe we have an obligation to engage with the community, fostering a mutual relationship.”
The NWSL has experienced rapid expansion in recent years, growing from 10 teams in 2021 to 18 by 2028.
During this time, expansion fees skyrocketed from $2 million to the $205 million designated for the Columbus franchise. Atlanta’s expansion fee of $165 million was a record at the time when it was awarded as team No. 17 in late 2025.
The ownership group in Columbus includes the family of Dr. Pete Edwards, who holds a minority stake in the Crew and has recently acquired more shares from HSG, along with the Columbus-based insurance company Nationwide.
Last month, ESPN revealed that the Columbus group was actively pursuing an NWSL expansion franchise.
Though Columbus ranks as only the 35th largest TV market in the U.S., it boasts a solid history of local support for the Crew and U.S. national team matches.
“As we assess markets, we prioritize their potential for both local and national success,” Berman explained. “The analysis of national media presence starts at the local level. We aim for packed venues so fans can experience the energy and excitement of the events.”
The NWSL has recently transitioned to a “rolling expansion” model, selecting prospective teams when appropriate, rather than adhering to strict bid deadlines as practiced in the past.
Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC recently played their inaugural games, marking the launch of the NWSL’s 16-team era.
Both Boston and Denver are utilizing temporary venues this season while awaiting the completion and renovation of their permanent stadiums.
“For teams 17 and 18, we determined it was right to balance with teams that already had usable infrastructure for us from a stadium standpoint,” Berman stated.
Lastly, ESPN reported that the NWSL board of governors plans to vote later this month on the possibility of shifting to a fall-to-spring schedule.
Adding Columbus, a market with cold weather, “doesn’t alter our analysis” regarding this decision, Berman noted, but she refrained from further comments on the league’s schedule.