Make Me Smart Angel City FC and the rise of women’s pro soccer
The National Women’s Soccer League’s regular season kicks off next week. And thanks in part to a record-breaking media rights agreement and the growth of women’s professional sports across the board, the league is gaining more attention — and investment — than ever. Angel City Football Club became the highest-valued women’s sports team in the world last year when Willow Bay and Bob Iger acquired a controlling stake in the franchise for $250 million. Julie Uhrman, the team’s CEO and co-founder, says Angel City is just the beginning. On the show today, Uhrman explains how she and her co-founders got investors to see their vision, why a game day experience that leaves you with FOMO is key to Angel City’s growth, and how to watch the NWSL’s season.
Later, how proposed funding cuts at the National Institutes of Health could leave a generational impact on the United States’ reputation as a science leader. And Adam Grant, host of the “Re:Thinking” podcast, answers the Make Me Smart question.
Here’s everything we talked about today:
- “How Angel City became ‘the most valuable women’s sports team in the world’ with new owners” from The Athletic
- “Ranking new 2025 NWSL team jerseys: Which kits hit?” from ESPN
- “Without the Draft, NWSL Clubs Are Navigating a Changing Landscape in College Recruitment” from Sports Illustrated
- “NWSL announces landmark media partnerships with CBS Sports, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps Sports” from NWSL
- “National Women’s Soccer League Playoffs Docuseries Gets Premiere Date At Prime Video” from Deadline
- Listen: Adam Grant’s interview with Sabri Ben-Achour on Marketplace Morning Report
Got a question or comment for the hosts? Email makemesmart@marketplace.org or leave us a voicemail at 508-U-B-SMART.