Berman wants more than 20 clubs
The NWSL is not done growing. Commissioner Jessica Berman said Thursday that the league is about to open its data room for expansion teams 19 and 20, with the goal of reaching at least 20 clubs.
“We’re about to open our data room for teams 19 and 20 because we intend to continue expanding,” Berman said, per The Athletic, at the Leaders Week London conference. A data room lets potential investors dig into the league’s finances. There is no deadline for awarding the next two franchises. Berman said the league first wants to finish the season and update its financial information.
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Where the league stands
Sixteen clubs are playing the current 2026 season, with Boston Legacy and Denver Summit joining as the 15th and 16th members. Atlanta and Columbus arrive in 2028, and they paid record expansion fees of $165 million and $205 million.
Berman, commissioner since 2022, does not see 20 as a ceiling. She pointed to U.S. pro leagues with 30 or more teams and called 20 “the next touch point.” Her reasoning is national reach: “Our country is the size of a continent,” and it is the league’s vision to compete on a national basis.
She also rejected the idea that faster growth would water down the product. “These players have just been training, playing and waiting for an opportunity to play in a professional league,” she said.
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