Cleveland is eagerly scoring big on the sports scene, having been announced as one of the three finalists to host the next team of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). This announcement came from NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman during a press conference held just before the league's championship game on November 22, 2024. Alongside Cleveland, Cincinnati and Denver are the other cities vying for the highly sought-after 16th NWSL franchise, which is expected to kick off its debut season around 2026.
For Cleveland fans, the stakes couldn't be higher. The Cleveland Soccer Group (CSG), which is spearheading the city's bid, expressed great enthusiasm over being named finalists. CSG co-founder Michael Murphy, who previously led Gravitas Ventures, stated: "We're thrilled to be named a finalist. I think it's representative of the very strong bid we've put in." Murphy went on to share the impressive backing CSG has already received, including over 15,000 season ticket pledges. Just attending one of the recent Cleveland Browns games should be enough to demonstrate the passionate support for sports within the community, he noted.
The excitement surrounding this potential NWSL team is palpable, as the league plans to announce its decision within the coming weeks. This moment is particularly notable as Nashville and Philadelphia have previously been ruled out of the competition. CSG’s proposal includes some unique elements, such as plans for the team to make the most of its own dedicated stadium. Notably, the Cleveland Metroparks recently acquired nearly 13.6 acres of land across from Progressive Field, earmarked for building what could be a 12,500-seat soccer-specific stadium. This facility is set to be the centerpiece of Cleveland's soccer ambitions, with the capacity to expand to 20,000 seats if demand dictates.
Michael Murphy emphasized location as key to their proposition, telling Crain's Cleveland, "We have great drawings and animations of the stadium, but it's so different when you stand there and see how close it is to downtown and the city's entertainment and sports district. Like anything else, it's location, location, location." This sentiment reflects how CSG is aiming to meld the new soccer venue with Cleveland's thriving entertainment scene.
Cleveland’s plans reach beyond this new NWSL franchise. The CSG is also eyeing possibilities for establishing training grounds, with offers made to purchase the site of the now-defunct Notre Dame College. This creates the prospect of not only fostering development for the new women’s team, but also for a men’s team expected to join the MLS Next Pro league.
While the competition heats up, other cities are making moves as well. Cincinnati's bid, which has recently gained momentum, saw basketball star Caitlin Clark join the ranks of their investors. Her involvement is seen as especially significant, considering her influence and popularity within women's sports. Berman commented on Clark's addition, calling her influence "incredible" and emphasizing the positive message her story conveys for budding young athletes.
This shake-up means CSG faces mounting pressure to present their case as the most viable option for the expansion team. The league’s leadership has visited Cleveland as part of the bidding process, inspecting the proposed stadium site and meeting with local leaders. The plan for the stadium is estimated to cost around $150 million, with CSG set to contribute about $60 million from ownership investment, alongside using state and local funding.
Overall, the NWSL expansion is not just about bringing professional women's soccer to Cleveland; it's part of larger efforts to solidify the city's place as a sports hub. Combining community support, strategic investments, and unique venue infrastructure could spell great things for Cleveland, whether the city eventually wins the franchise or not.
With the league’s announcement expected before the close of the year, the anticipation around the NWSL's 16th team is building. This team will undeniably play its part by bringing the spotlight not just to women's soccer, but to the fervent sports culture of Cleveland as well.
