The Journal. Women's Soccer Is Getting a Big Upgrade
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Feb 10, 2025 
Rachel Bachman, a sports reporter for WSJ, dives into the exciting evolution of women's soccer. She discusses Denver's groundbreaking decision to establish a dedicated stadium for a new pro team, symbolizing a major investment shift in the sport. The rising demand and attendance post-2019 World Cup reveal a newfound confidence from owners. Bachman also highlights the competitive nature of bids for teams, backed by influential figures like Caitlin Clark, emphasizing the financial potential and future growth in women's professional sports.
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Shoestring Budgets and Renting Stadiums
- Early NWSL teams operated on a shoestring budget, renting stadiums and lacking investment.
- This limited their revenue potential through sponsorships and stadium control.
The Longs' Stadium Gamble
- Chris and Angie Long, inspired by the 2019 World Cup, bought an NWSL team.
- They built the first women's-specific stadium, overcoming 40 bank rejections.
Denver's Winning Bid
- Denver won the NWSL expansion bid, beating Cincinnati, partly due to their stadium plan.
- Rob Cohen, Denver's investor, saw the Kansas City model's success as inspiration.