Reports: Atlanta lands NWSL's 17th franchise for record fee

The National Women's Soccer League has awarded an expansion team to Atlanta as its 17th franchise for a record fee, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

The team will be owned by Arthur Blank's AMB Sports and Entertainment, owner of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United FC.

Atlanta's NWSL team is expected to share Mercedes-Benz Stadium with those clubs when it begins play in 2028, per the reports.

AMB Sports and Entertainment confirmed to ESPN that there is a "productive engagement with NWSL" but there is "nothing to announce currently as those conversations are ongoing."

The NWSL declined to comment to ESPN.

The Athletic reported that Blank's group is paying an expansion fee of $165 million, a massive jump from the $110 million paid by Denver Summit FC in January.

The NWSL is expanding to 16 teams next season with the additions of Denver and Boston Legacy FC.

Atlanta hosted a women's pro soccer team called the Atlanta Beat in the Women's United Soccer Association from 2001-03 and in Women's Professional Soccer from 2010-11.

The city also will become the new home of U.S. Soccer's headquarters next year, a project to which Blank donated $50 million.

--Field Level Media