List of owners of National Women's Soccer League teams explained

National Women's Soccer League owners own a share in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and have the right to operate a team. Players' rights to play in the league are held an individual team.^[1] Each NWSL team has an investor-operator that is a shareholder in the league. The league has a profit-sharing arrangement amongst the teams.^[2]

, the league has 14 investor-operator individuals or groups for its 12 current and two future clubs.

Teams

Angel City FC

Angel City FC was founded in 2020 by Kara Nortman, Natalie Portman, Alexis Ohanian, and Julie Uhrman.^[3] Other notable investors include:^[4]

Bay FC (2024)

• Sixth Street Partners (managing), Rick Welts, Sheryl Sandberg, Brandi Chastain, Aly Wagner, Danielle Slaton, Leslie Osborne, Andre Iguodala (minority)^{[5] [6]}

Chicago Red Stars

Arnim Whisler was a co-founding owner of the Chicago Red Stars in 2007 in the Women's Professional Soccer, the top American league at the time.^{[7] [8]} He was owner of the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL from the inception of the league in 2012^[9] until September 1, 2023, when Whisler and all minority owners of the Red Stars sold their stakes to an investment group led by Laura Ricketts, which included Debra Cafaro, Jennifer Pritzker, and Hilary Rosen.^{[10] [11]}

The majority owner of the Houston Dash is Ted Segal.^[12]

Other investors include Gabriel Brener, Oscar De La Hoya, Jake Silverstein, and Ben Guill.^[13]

James Harden joined the ownership group in 2019.^[14]

Lead investors of the Kansas City Current are Angie and Chris Long. Other minority investors include Jen Gulvik and Brittany Matthews and her husband Patrick Mahomes.^[15] (2020–present; started play in 2021)^[16]

The founding investor of NJ/NY Gotham FC is Thomas Hofstetter^[17] Since 2012, majority owners have included Tammy Murphy, Phil Murphy, Steven Temares.^[18] In 2020, Ed Nalbandian joined as a minority owner.^[19] In 2022, Kristin Bernert, Karen Bryant, Carli Lloyd, Sue Bird, Kevin Durant, and Rich Kleiman joined as minority owners.^{[20] [21] [22] [23]}

Since 2017, Steve Malik has been the majority and managing owner of the North Carolina Courage and served as its chairman.^[24]

• Naomi Osaka joined as a minority owner in January 2021.^[25]
• Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC), Ashlie and Michael Bucy, and Sara and R. James Toussaint joined as minority owners in May 2021.^[26]
• Jim and Sue Datin, Torry Holt, Downtown South developer Kane Realty, and nine other local investors joined as minority owners in July 2021.^[27]
• CBC increased its stake in the Courage and acquired a seat on the club's board of directors in August 2023.^[28]
• Ons Jabeur joined as a minority owner in August 2023.^[29]

• 2020–: OL Groupe (89.5%), Bill and Teresa Predmore (7.5%), Tony Parker (3%)^{[30] [31]}
• 2019–2020: Bill and Teresa Predmore (majority), The Baseball Club of Tacoma LLC, Adrian Hanauer, and Lenore Hanauer
• 2012–2019: Bill and Teresa Predmore, founding owners

• Since 2021: The Wilf Family (Mark Wilf, Zygi Wilf, Lenny Wilf) ^[32]
• 2018–2021: Flávio Augusto da Silva (majority), Phil Rawlins (minority), Albert Friedberg (minority)^[33]
• 2015–2018: Flávio Augusto da Silva (majority) and Phil Rawlins (minority)

• Merritt Paulson (majority), Arctos Sports Partners (15%) (2021–)^{[34] [35]}
• Merritt Paulson (2012–2021)^[36]

• Soccer Holdings, LLC (2019–present; started play in 2021)

• Ronald Burkle (majority)

• Y. Michele Kang (2022–present)^{[37] [38]}
• Steve Baldwin (managing), Michele Kang, and Bill Lynch (minority) (2020–2022),^[39] with other minority investors joining in 2021, including Jenna Bush Hager, Chelsea Clinton, Brianna Scurry, and Dominique Dawes.^[40]
• Steve Baldwin (majority) and Bill Lynch (minority) (2018–2020)^[41]
• Bill Lynch (2012–2018)^[42]

• Dell Loy Hansen (2017–2020)^{[43] [16]}
• David Blitzer and Ryan Smith (2023–present)^[44]

Former teams

• Michael Stoller, Boston Women's Soccer, LLC (2012–2018)^[45]

• Chris Likens, Brad Likens, Greg Likens, and Brian Budzinski (Missouri Comets owners) (2012–2017)^[46]
• Elam Baer (2017)^[47]

• Joe Sahlen (2013–2017)^[48]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Roster Rules . National Women's Soccer League . 9 March 2019.
2. News: Murray . Caitlin . A Blueprint for Women's Sports Success. But Can It Be Copied? . 9 March 2019 . The New York Times . October 13, 2017.
3. Angel City Confirms Name as Angel City Football Club and Officially Joins National Women's Soccer League . National Women’s Soccer League . October 21, 2020 . October 21, 2020.
4. News: Natalie Portman part of L.A. ownership group for NWSL expansion team in 2022 . July 21, 2020 . . July 21, 2020.
5. News: Sheryl Sandberg Joins Ownership of NWSL's Bay Area Expansion Team . April 4, 2023 . April 5, 2023 . . Emily . Caron . Eben . Novy-Williams.
6. News: Novy-Williams . Eben . NBA Champion Andre Iguodala Invests in New NWSL Club Bay FC . June 4, 2023 . . . June 3, 2023.
7. Web site: NWSL's Chicago Red Stars for Sale as League Overhaul Expands . December 2022 . Yahoo! Finance . 16 May 2023.
8. Web site: March 2021 . Chicago Red Stars Introduce Groundbreaking New Ownership Group .
9. Web site: Independently Chicago: One-On-One With Red Stars Owner Arnim Whisler. Herrera. Sandra. 2018-03-09. Hot Time In Old Town. 2019-03-09.
10. Laura Ricketts-Led Group of Diverse Investors Buys Chicago Red Stars in $60 Million Deal . September 1, 2023 . September 5, 2023 . Chicago Red Stars.
11. News: Why Laura Ricketts jumped at the 'opportunity to have a culture change, to really write a new chapter' as owner of the Chicago Red Stars . September 1, 2023 . September 5, 2023 . . Meghan . Montemurro.
12. Web site: New owner brings energy to the Club. 2021-06-28. houstondynamo.com. en. 2021-11-14.
13. Web site: MLS: Brener is new Dynamo majority owner. 2015-12-16. ESPN.com. en. 2019-03-09.
14. News: Rockets' James Harden joins ownership of Dynamo and Dash . Houston Chronicle . July 18, 2019 . July 19, 2019.
15. Web site: Mahomes expands business empire with Kansas City Current investment . 10 January 2023 . Sport Business . 16 May 2023.
16. Kansas City Returns to the NWSL as Expansion Team in 2021 . National Women's Soccer League . December 7, 2020 . December 10, 2020.
17. Web site: Kassouf . Jeff . Sky Blue FC gears up for NWSL – Equalizer Soccer . 26 December 2012 . 2022-04-28 . en-US.
18. Web site: Ownership . 2022-04-28 . www.gothamfc.com.
19. Web site: Sky Blue FC: Ed Nalbandian new minority owner, Tammy Murphy named chairwoman . 2022-04-28 . Orlando Sentinel . 19 February 2020 . en.
20. Web site: 2022-03-15 . NJ/NY Gotham FC Adds Two Top-Level Sport Executives to Ownership . 2022-04-28 . NJ/NY Gotham FC . en-us.
21. Web site: 2022-04-27 . Carli Lloyd Rejoins NJ/NY Gotham FC in New Role as Minority Owner . 2022-04-28 . NJ/NY Gotham FC . en-us.
22. Web site: LoRé . Michael . Kevin Durant, Rich Kleiman Join Gotham FC As Minority Owners . 2022-05-05 . Forbes . en.
23. Web site: Scott . Jelani . Sue Bird Becomes Minority Investor in NWSL's Gotham FC . 29 July 2022 . Sports Illustrated . 16 May 2023.
24. Web site: New for 2017: North Carolina Courage. 2017-01-10. Soccer Stadium Digest. en-US. 2019-03-09.
25. News: Naomi Osaka invests in NWSL's North Carolina Courage, becoming team owner . Reuters . ESPN.com . January 28, 2021 . February 17, 2021.
26. North Carolina Courage Announces Expanded Ownership Group . May 14, 2021 . August 4, 2023 . North Carolina Courage.
27. North Carolina Courage Announces Additional Group of New Investors . July 27, 2021 . August 4, 2023 . North Carolina Courage.
28. Capitol Broadcasting Company increases ownership in NC Courage . August 4, 2023 . August 4, 2023 . WRAL Sports.
29. News: Wimbledon, U.S. Open finalist Ons Jabeur invests in NC Courage . August 25, 2023 . August 25, 2023 . .
30. News: OL Reign leadership changing as founders Teresa and Bill Predmore step down . February 2, 2022 . Jayda . Evans . . May 16, 2023.
31. Web site: Evans . Jayda . OL Groupe looking to sell ownership stake in OL Reign . April 12, 2023 . . May 16, 2023.
32. Web site: Wilf Family Completes Purchase of Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Pride. 2021-06-21. orlandocitysc.com. en. 2021-11-14.
33. Web site: Orlando City owner sells minority stake. 2018-03-28. ESPN.com. en. 2019-03-09.
34. News: LAFC Tops MLS' Most Valuable Teams at $900 Million . September 28, 2022 . April 5, 2023 . . Kurt . Badenhausen.
35. News: Merritt Paulson sold minority stake in Portland Timbers, Thorns last year . September 28, 2022 . April 5, 2023 . . Ryan . Clarke.
36. News: What they're saying about Portland Thorns FC crest and team name (links). 2012-12-15. oregonlive.com. en-US. 2019-03-09.
37. Small . Jordan . Washington Spirit Finalize New Ownership . February 8, 2022 . 2022-04-28 . . en-US.
38. News: Caron . Emily . February 8, 2022 . Washington Spirit Sell for Record $35 Million to Michele Kang . . April 5, 2023.
39. News: Y. Michele Kang joins Washington Spirit ownership group . December 29, 2020 . April 5, 2023 . Black and Red United . Jason . Anderson.
40. News: Chelsea Clinton, Jenna Bush Hager among group buying stake in Washington Spirit . February 16, 2021 . April 5, 2023 . . Meg . Linehan . Pablo . Maurer.
41. News: Washington Spirit Owner May Sell Majority Stake In NWSL Club. October 10, 2018. www.sportsbusinessdaily.com. en. 2019-03-09.
42. News: NWSL's Washington Spirit hires Richie Burke as head coach. Goff. Stephen. December 27, 2018. The Washington Post. March 8, 2019.
43. Web site: 'Jump on this train, because it's going somewhere': Utah Royals FC ends 1st season with eye toward future. McDonald. Ryan. 2018-09-12. DeseretNews.com. en. 2019-03-09.
44. NWSL Announces Utah Royals to Return As Expansion Team in 2024 . March 11, 2023 . April 5, 2023 . . Karl . Rasmussen.
45. Web site: Last-gasp bid to save Boston Breakers soccer team fell short - The Boston Globe. BostonGlobe.com. 2019-03-09.
46. Web site: FC Kansas City announces new ownership. USA TODAY. en. 2019-03-09.
47. Web site: FC KANSAS CITY UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP. 2017-01-21. SoccerToday. en-US. 2019-03-09.
48. Web site: WNY Flash moving to North Carolina, report says. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. en. 2019-03-09.