Report: NWSL, Denver group enter exclusive franchise negotiations

Field Level Media|published: 12/17/2024, 4:07pm EST

Nov 3, 2024; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; The National Womens Soccer League logo is reflected on the windows of the stadium before the game between Racing Louisville FC and San Diego Wave at Lynn Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: EM Dash-Imagn Images

A group representing the city of Denver and the NWSL entered negotiations geared toward being awarded an expansion franchise, Sportico reported Monday.

Denver reportedly is the favorite to land a team ahead of Cleveland and Cincinnati.

The NWSL consisted of 14 teams in the just-completed 2024 season, with a franchise in Boston set for its inaugural season in 2025.

The Colorado group currently in discussion with the league on a franchise is known as For Denver FC and is being led by Ben Hubbard, the co-founder and CEO of the supply-chain company and insurance provider Parsyl.

According to the report, the expansion fee is expected to be at least $105 million and could cost as much as $120 million, which would double the previous expansion price. Bay FC, which joined the NWSL in 2024, and Boston each agreed to a $53 million expansion fee.

Sportico considers Angel City FC the most valuable franchise in the league at an estimated $250 million, with the Houston Dash worth $74 million. The average club value is $104 million.

--Field Level Media