Cincinnati, Ohio – Indiana Fever standout Caitlin Clark has taken on a new venture by joining an ownership group aiming to establish a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team in Cincinnati. The bid, confirmed by a representative for the NWSL Cincinnati bid, has been met with enthusiasm from fans and league officials alike. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman announced that Cincinnati, along with Cleveland and Denver, are the three finalists in contention for the league’s 16th team. The decision on the winning bid is expected to be made before the year’s end, with the new team scheduled to kick off play in 2026 along with an expansion team in Boston.
Clark’s involvement in the NWSL bid has generated excitement among supporters, with the ownership group expressing their delight in having her on board. The 22-year-old basketball star made headlines when she was selected as the first pick in the WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever in 2024, following an illustrious college career at the University of Iowa. Despite her basketball prowess, Clark’s interest in soccer has long been recognized, stemming from her days as a two-sport athlete in Iowa.
The Cincinnati ownership group, led by Jeff Berding of Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati, has been actively pursuing the opportunity to bring an NWSL team to the city. The connection to FC Cincinnati’s ownership group has bolstered the bid, as it could potentially lead to shared resources and facilities with the MLS club. Meanwhile, the group in Cleveland has proposed the construction of a new stadium to support a future NWSL team, along with an MLS Next team, in downtown Cleveland. This proposal, backed by a public-private partnership with the city, is contingent on securing the NWSL bid.
Berman lauded Clark’s involvement in the NWSL bid, emphasizing her impact on women’s sports and her role as a trailblazer for young athletes. The anticipation surrounding the announcement of the winning bid for the NWSL’s expansion team has only grown with the inclusion of notable figures like Clark. As the process unfolds, the potential for growth and development within the league remains a focal point for all involved parties, promising an exciting future for women’s professional soccer in the United States.