3 hours ago, Dino said:

You may be right, but if I owned the NWSL I wouldn't want to be in the same market as an MLS team.  Having a City's soccer market to yourself would be a big advantage, wouldn't it?  

 

Plus the Caitlin Clark story seems a little bit like a last minute hail mary.  If she was an owner all along, why wasn't it in the news before?

 

Some of the more successful NWSL clubs are in MLS cities. Washington Spirit, Chicago Red Stars, Kansas City Current. The Current even built their own KCMO stadium and sold out every game. 

 

I also think the rivalry between Columbus and Cincinnati is seen as a positive thing. These leagues want rivalries to build hype for them. It's not all about TV markets like it is in the NFL or MLB. NWSL and MLS revenue is largely divorced from local/regional TV revenue. The rivalry between Louisville and Cincinnati when FCC was in the USL was great, and a rivalry between Cincinnati and Cleveland would also be great.

 

All that being said, I don't think there's any reason it couldn't go to Cleveland. Cincinnati can easily afford a higher expansion fee, and they have the facilities to add a team whenever the NWSL wants to give them a team. If the timing is right for Cleveland, and the league is confident in their finances, ownership, and stadium situation, I could see them going for Cleveland, too.

From Jeff Kassouf (NWSL writer for ESPN) on Bluesky at 12:19 today:

 

#NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman says the expansion process is down to three: Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Denver. That's the first public acknowledgement of the finalists.

I was fully expecting to hear an announcement as early as today.

5 minutes ago, acd said:

From Jeff Kassouf (NWSL writer for ESPN) on Bluesky at 12:19 today:

 

#NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman says the expansion process is down to three: Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Denver. That's the first public acknowledgement of the finalists.

And to build off of that: 

Hopefully this bodes well considering Cleveland is offering concrete plans for a purpose-built NWSL stadium.

2 hours ago, ryanlammi said:

Cincinnati can easily afford a higher expansion fee, and they have the facilities to add a team whenever the NWSL wants to give them a team.

I agree BUT I could actually see Cincy not bidding anymore for a team if not selected this round. Carl Lindner/FC Cincy organization currently has a lot going on including trying to win a championship they just signed a player with the most expensive transfer fee in MLS History a few days ago. And they are putting finishing touches on its plans for a 300 Million Dollar mix use development next to the stadium. I could totally see them wanting to get in NWSL at the current expansion fee but not a future higher fee.

 

We shall see, never sleep on Denver either it’s a great market.

Edited November 22, 2024Nov 22 by 646empire

The league commissioner's final decision will come in the "next few weeks," Murphy said.

https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-one-of-three-finalists-for-nwsl-expansion-team-45552187

We would start in a temporary home while the stadium is built.

 

Should either Cleveland or Denver be selected, they would begin play in temporary stadiums with intent to build permanent homes. Already, the Cleveland group has partnered with Cleveland Metroparks to acquire a 13.6-acre lot near Progressive Field, home to the MLB’s Cleveland Guardians, to build a stadium. No such plans have been revealed for Denver, and Berman did not provide an update on potential details surrounding a stadium in the Mile High city. 

 

https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/11/22/cincinnati-cleveland-denver-finalists-nwsl-expansion-caitlin-clark-ownership/

Channel 3 Story. https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/cleveland-final-3-candidates-national-womens-soccer-league-expansion-caitlin-clark-joins-cincinatti-bid/95-07fd6353-7500-48c8-8be1-8b0e164b318f

I had some posts deleted. I did not think I had posted anything even remotely inflammatory or controversial. Anyhow some more soccer news:

 

D3 Women’s Pro Soccer Coming Soon to Cleveland

 

WPSL Pro Cleveland is a forthcoming women’s professional soccer team. We’ll play in WPSL Pro, a new U.S. Division 3 women’s professional soccer league, which kicks off in 2026. I’m starting this team (hi, I’m Gina Prodan Kelly!) because there’s a gaping hole on the women’s side of the player pathway. But not for lack of talent.

 

Bringing a WPSL Pro team to Cleveland gives girls & women in our region another support, another stepping stone toward their personal bests — and we’ll all get to watch rising stars & the landscape of soccer growth & evolve in Northeast Ohio.

 

https://www.wpslprocleveland.com/

Cincinnati gets a 5M County grant. https://www.wlwt.com/article/cincinnati-nwsl-expansion-bid-hamilton-county-budget-proposal/63021422

5 minutes ago, simplythis said:

Cincinnati gets a 5M County grant. https://www.wlwt.com/article/cincinnati-nwsl-expansion-bid-hamilton-county-budget-proposal/63021422

 

Proposed, hasn't been voted on. 

 

I think this is dumb. They don't need this money. 

18 minutes ago, ryanlammi said:

 

Proposed, hasn't been voted on. 

 

I think this is dumb. They don't need this money. 

It’s almost certainly going to pass. The County-City is being very aggressive these days getting new events etc including Sundance Film Festival (which I’ve heard Cincy is coming in REAL HOT). Also None of these Billionaire Groups NEED* anything but that’s not the point the most bankrolled bid most of the time wins. I’m assuming Cleveland will be doing something similar.

Edited November 26, 2024Nov 26 by 646empire

Geez everyone is thinking Cincinnati. https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/clark-boosts-cincinnatis-nwsl-expansion-bid-68295#google_vignette

I feel like Cincinnati bid news can go in the Cincinnati thread...

Ugh I'm getting so sick of waiting for this. I wish they would just tell us a date they'll announce it by!

 

I've gotten my hopes up. If we don't get this, I'm gonna be real sad.

13 hours ago, simplythis said:

Geez everyone is thinking Cincinnati. https://evrimagaci.org/tpg/clark-boosts-cincinnatis-nwsl-expansion-bid-68295#google_vignette

Where does it say that?  All this article states, just like all the other ones, is that its down to 3 and Cincinnati is one of them. It even states that Cleveland's bid has star power too.

Edited November 27, 2024Nov 27 by TDi

13 minutes ago, TDi said:

Where does it say that?  All this article states, just like all the other ones, is that its down to 3 and Cincinnati is one of them. It even states that Cleveland's bid has star power too.

True - while we know little of Denver's bid strength - Cleveland's ownership group has to be seen as strong and impressive by the league on paper in view of the backgrounds of each member- while the Caitlin Clarke Hail Mary seems like last minute window dressing.

I feel like something people are not mentioning too is that Cleveland already had a very strong bid in 2022 and was a finalist but not having a dedicated stadium hurt them. This being their second time through the process, with a stadium, 15k+ season ticket pledges and a larger group of investors it just seems like the strongest bid on the table by far. Essentially the only thing I see that Cincinnati has over Cleveland is an existing professional soccer team which you could argue may not actually be an advantage. 

Edited November 27, 2024Nov 27 by TDi

Dan Gilbert's role regarding potential NWSL Cleveland expansion. https://frontofficesports.com/cavs-owner-behind-push-to-bring-nwsl-team-to-cleveland/

It’s unclear which market or ownership group is purchasing the rights to the NWSL’s 16th team.

 

So, the way that i interpret this article is that they have made their selection and are negotiating an expansion fee.

 

https://www.wesh.com/article/nwsl-process-selling-rights-expansion-team-16-league-commissioner/62856675

NWSL Expansion news https://equalizersoccer.com/2024/12/13/why-the-nwsls-2026-expansion-push-should-but-wont-wait/

@simplythis  Could you share a synopsis? I only was able to read the first three paragraphs regarding the delay in Boston before article cut off.  Thx! 

Why the NWSL’s 2026 expansion push should (but won’t) wait

Two years after winning an expansion bid, Boston’s proposed stadium is at risk. Two other prospective teams need to build venues. The writing is on the wall.

 

It has been nearly two full years since the National Women’s Soccer League’s Board of Governors approved Boston as a 2026 expansion team, granting the team the longest runway to launch in league history.

Boston’s stadium plan — touted as a revolutionary public-private partnership — remains in legitimate doubt as it faces a lawsuit and rising costs. The idea that the renovated venue will be ready in 15 months feels increasingly ludicrous; construction is yet to begin

 

 

I guess there really wasn't any substantial news in this specific article, but reading elsewhere (e.g. Dec 10 article in The Athletic) it really seems (my guess) that the lawsuit and poor roll out in Boston has mucked up the timing for announcement of the 16th expansion team.  Whichever team organization in Denver, Cleveland, or Cincinnati will really need to have all their ducks in a row to be selected.    🤞🏽

Edited December 14, 2024Dec 14 by DO_Summers
clarity

Over 15,300 pledges for season tickets. Announcement days away. https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/push-bring-national-womens-soccer-league-team-cleveland-final-stages/95-cee375f2-e3a9-48d5-bb1f-178beb36dc96

I got a tip last week from a source who said that Notre Dame College is due to close next week to a single buyer who is buying the whole campus. There are rumors that an investor working with Cleveland Pro Soccer is the buyer and would establish an international womens soccer institute. I can't get confirmation from the the city or others. They say they don't know. If anyone has any more information, feel free to email me or PM me here at UO.

1 hour ago, KJP said:

I got a tip last week from a source who said that Notre Dame College is due to close next week to a single buyer who is buying the whole campus. There are rumors that an investor working with Cleveland Pro Soccer is the buyer and would establish an international womens soccer institute. I can't get confirmation from the the city or others. They say they don't know. If anyone has any more information, feel free to email me or PM me here at UO.

So this could be good news.  We all know that CSG or their investor group are either interested in buying Notre Dame College campus  or have an option to buy      ( like the Haslam's BP land ) or have actually consummated a deal and are waiting to close.

 

So this brings up an interesting question. If it is CSG would they be closing in on a deal with Notre Dame College to have a training center for his NWSL team and a training center for his MLS next pro team  and a International Women'c Soccer Academy IF they weren't getting a team.   

 

So maybe the NWSL is waiting for this training site to close before they make their announcement.

On 12/13/2024 at 7:26 PM, simplythis said:

Why the NWSL’s 2026 expansion push should (but won’t) wait

Two years after winning an expansion bid, Boston’s proposed stadium is at risk. Two other prospective teams need to build venues. The writing is on the wall.

I don't understand why new purpose built stadiums are such a priority.  Any insight on that?  Existing MLS, college, and even a few high school stadiums could accommodate NWSL matches for several years before dedicated stadiums seem necessary.  Many MLS teams do not have a dedicated stadium, and even some NFL teams share stadiums...

4 minutes ago, Dino said:

I don't understand why new purpose built stadiums are such a priority.  Any insight on that?  Existing MLS, college, and even a few high school stadiums could accommodate NWSL matches for several years before dedicated stadiums seem necessary.  Many MLS teams do not have a dedicated stadium, and even some NFL teams share stadiums...

 

It's not a perfect rule, but in general, MLS teams that share NFL stadiums are typically owned by the same group that owns the stadium and/or NFL team.

 

Charlotte FC - plays in the Panthers stadium, same owner

Vancouver Whitecaps - Older team that shares an indoor venue

NE Revolution - Old team and plays in Patriots' stadium, same owner

Seattle Sounders - Older team and plays in Seahawks' stadium, overlapping ownership

Atlanta United - plays in the Falcons stadium, same owner

San Diego - new team, but playing in newly opened college stadium (biggest exception of the bunch IMO)

Chicago Fire - old team that has had stadium issues in the past and is trying to build its own stadium

NYCFC - Has had a decade of false starts on a stadium and building one was the agreement with MLS when they were awarded a team. Finally building a new stadium in Queens after playing primarily in Yankee Stadium, but has had to move around especially in the MLB post season

 

So really, we're looking at Vancouver, Chicago, and San Diego as the outliers where the teams don't share ownership with the primary tenants of their stadium (and aren't building a new stadium). The Whitecaps are a unique case IMO with the Vancouver market, Chicago has been a problem for a while, and San Diego is brand new. MLS wants ownership groups to control the venues they play in for both financial reasons, and reputation reasons.

San Diego State's Snapdragon stadium was conceived with the idea of sharing with pro soccer, so for a few reasons I agree with @ryanlammi that San Diego is a notable exception to the rule. Interestlingly, the rights to develop the former Chargers site went to a public vote, where SDSU won out over the plan by a powerful (and mayoral-backed) investment group called "Soccer City." 

 

Things got messy.

 

 

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2018/09/10/just-how-close-soccercity-and-sdsu-got-to-a-deal-and-how-it-all-fell-apart/

 

Anyway, I wish we were hearing something about proposed USL ownership working with Cleveland's NWSL group on the stadium. It just seems like a total win-win scenario. 

 

NWSL, Denver Group Enter Exclusive Expansion Talks at $105-$120M Fee

sportico.com: By Kurt Badenhausen, Eben Novy-Williams

 

The NWSL is entering exclusive negotiations with a group from Denver for the league’s next expansion franchise, according to multiple people familiar with the details, ahead of bids from Cleveland and Cincinnati.

 

The expansion fee currently being discussed is in the $105 million-$120 million range, said the people, who were granted anonymity because the details are private. Anything in that range would be more than double the previous NWSL expansion price and also the biggest expansion fee ever paid in U.S. women’s sports.

 

Nothing is finalized, and it could still take weeks, or months, to hammer out a signed agreement, the sources said.

 

The NWSL is expected to inform Cleveland and Cincinnati of the league’s plans this week, if it hasn’t already, sources said. Representatives from the three bidding cities and Inner Circle Sports, the bank hired to lead the expansion process, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on the exclusive talks. An NWSL rep declined to comment.

 

 

Looks like women's pro soccer (NWSL and USL) just overlooking the midwest for the most part. 

14 minutes ago, surfohio said:

Looks like women's pro soccer (NWSL and USL) just overlooking the midwest for the most part. 

 

USL Super League (the women's USL league) is adding teams to Indianapolis and Madison next season.

 

I don't know that I would read too much into Denver getting this as a slight on the Midwest. It's not known what kind of considerations were being made. Perhaps Denver's ownership group was willing to pay more in expansion fees than Cincy or Cleveland.

Notre Dame Soccer Academy seems like a nice consolation prize if it happens.

Edited December 17, 2024Dec 17 by GISguy

9 minutes ago, GISguy said:

Notre Dame Soccer Academy seems like a nice consolation prize if it happens.

 

Hopefully this, and if the stadium still gets built, puts us in a better position for the next round of expansion. 

That seems surprising because it seemed like Cincy or Cleveland had the edge. The only downside to Cincy's bid was they already had an MLS team to compete against... but Denver has one, too.

41 minutes ago, ryanlammi said:

 

USL Super League (the women's USL league) is adding teams to Indianapolis and Madison next season.

 

Probably right. Looking like USL getting mens and women's teams are heading to Springfield, MO too. 

 

I'm wondering if at the end of the day it was just a bidding war with regards to the expansion fee. 

Truly Disappointing. Cleveland checked all the boxes. I think it cam down to a bidding war for the expansion fee.

https://www.crainscleveland.com/sports-recreation/denver-beats-out-cleveland-nwsl-expansion-team

11 minutes ago, Ethan said:

I'm wondering if at the end of the day it was just a bidding war with regards to the expansion fee. 

 

to be clear, in 2020 the franchise fee for an NWSL team was $5 million.  Boston paid $53 million two years ago. This was simply an auction the NWSL ran for this franchise and they should be ashamed of themselves to essentially dismissing all of the hard work other cities did for their bid.  Money talks, but as we see with money all over corporate America, it can’t be the only thing.  There’s needs to be passion and organic interest in the product.  For their sake, hopefully Denver is a good market but if they can’t keep up with other markets and they are drawing weak attendance,

then they have sleep in the bed they made just giving the franchise to a banking executive with deep pockets

 

Cleveland NWSL bid falls short, seeks future team
By Ken Prendergast / December 17, 2024

 

Denver appears to have outbid its nearest rivals, including Cleveland and Cincinnati, for the 16th expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). A Denver-based ownership group is reported to be exclusively negotiating a $105 million to $120 million fee to land the team — or roughly double the previous record high expansion fee of $53 million paid last year by a Boston group.

 

MORE:

https://neo-trans.blog/2024/12/17/cleveland-nwsl-bid-falls-short-seeks-future-team/

What they need to do is to build the stadium anyway and get a lower league team. If they wait to the NWSL expands to a 17th or 18th team down the road in  (5-10 ) years AND not have a stadium built then they will lose out again to some MLS city that wants a NWSL team that has their infrastructure in place. 

 

https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/cleveland-comes-up-short-bid-national-womens-soccer-league-expansion-team/95-f5bd785c-d460-442c-9208-87553d525542

Denver willing to go overboard with the expansion slot fee may have been the deciding factor for Denver over Cinncy/CLE. 

 

Laurel Pfahler at Queen City press:

 

"Boston paid $53 million. My understanding is #FCCincy offered what was believed to be competitive market value, but Denver’s bid to pay double previous fees seems to have put them over the top of an otherwise impressive push from Cincy."

https://bsky.app/profile/laurelpfahler.bsky.social/post/3ldjoukoh622b

I'm disappointed, but $100M, to join a relatively new league?  Seems steep.  Men's USL has been around longer and has similar attendance numbers and their expansion fees are more like $20M.  I really do hope they still build the stadium and develop the MLS Next team they actually do have.  I think that would be the best path forward in securing an other pro soccer team.

 

Speaking of the stadium, I hope the Metroparks can still step in and help get this stadium built.  Even without the NWSL I think it could be financially viable.  I think colleges, high schools and youth leagues would make good use out of a multi-purpose athletic facility, especially if they put a roof on it.  It would still fit in with the Metroparks mission too.  I mean Irishtown Bend will cost about $60M and produce no income.  I gotta believe that $150M on an income producing sports facility isn't the worst idea in the world.

12 minutes ago, Dino said:

I'm disappointed, but $100M, to join a relatively new league?  Seems steep.  Men's USL has been around longer and has similar attendance numbers and their expansion fees are more like $20M.  I really do hope they still build the stadium and develop the MLS Next team they actually do have.  I think that would be the best path forward in securing an other pro soccer team.

 

Speaking of the stadium, I hope the Metroparks can still step in and help get this stadium built.  Even without the NWSL I think it could be financially viable.  I think colleges, high schools and youth leagues would make good use out of a multi-purpose athletic facility, especially if they put a roof on it.  It would still fit in with the Metroparks mission too.  I mean Irishtown Bend will cost about $60M and produce no income.  I gotta believe that $150M on an income producing sports facility isn't the worst idea in the world.

Disagree. Without a primary tenant this project doesn't make sense. Nor were the Metroparks ever going to build it, they were simply acting as a pass through for accounting reasons. The Metroparks should not get into the stadium building business. And regardless of who builds it a roof is also not a justifiable expense for this project. 

agree about a roof and the metroparks, but that doesnt mean it still shouldnt be built if it can be. built in a way to easily upgrade and expand it of course. develop the site and get the ball rolling forward somehow.

10 minutes ago, mrnyc said:

agree about a roof and the metroparks, but that doesnt mean it still shouldnt be built if it can be. built in a way to easily upgrade and expand it of course. develop the site and get the ball rolling forward somehow.

 

Agree. Soccer in Cleveland is inevitable. MLSNext is a start but there is ample room for more. Also we really need grass for the good of the sport, so a roof is going to make that near impossible. 

 

Anyway, no NWSL is a downer but there are of course other, more sane options for pro men’s and woman's teams. 

15 hours ago, simplythis said:

What they need to do is to build the stadium anyway and get a lower league team. If they wait to the NWSL expands to a 17th or 18th team down the road in  (5-10 ) years AND not have a stadium built then they will lose out again to some MLS city that wants a NWSL team that has their infrastructure in place. 

 

https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/cleveland-comes-up-short-bid-national-womens-soccer-league-expansion-team/95-f5bd785c-d460-442c-9208-87553d525542

What Denver did was make it tougher for Cleveland and other similarly sized markets to buy in. If they offered $100-$120 Million for an expansion fee, double what was JUST offered, that means in 5-10 years that number may be at $150-$200 Million. That number is MUCH more unattainable.