Copyright Variety
The National Women’s Soccer League has assembled an Avengers-like group of star investors in NWSL teams into an advisory board designed to drive new business opportunities and expand the overall reach of the U.S. league. The effort has been spearheaded by Jessica Berman, NWSL commissioner, who has been instrumental in expanding the organization’s footprint across the U.S. with 16 clubs stretching from San Diego to Boston. The panel members and their team affiliations include: Chris Paul (Angel City FC) Julie Foudy (Angel City FC) Brandi Chastain (Bay FC) Sabrina Ionescu (Bay FC) Elizabeth Banks (Boston Legacy FC) Aly Raisman (Boston Legacy FC) Jordan Angeli (Denver Summit FC) Brittany Mahomes (Kansas City Current) Sue Bird (Gotham FC) Eli Manning (Gotham FC) Lauren Holiday (North Carolina Courage) Grant Hill (Orlando Pride) Tamia Hill (Orlando Pride) Joey Harrington (Portland Thorns FC) Bryce Young (Portland Thorns FC) Ken Griffey Jr. (Seattle Reign FC) Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC) Lindsey Vonn (Utah Royals FC) Dominique Dawes (Washington Spirit) Magic Johnson (Washington Spirit) “When we looked across our Clubs’ investor base, we realized how fortunate we are to have such an extraordinary group of cultural icons, athletes, and leaders who believe – and have invested – in the power and potential of this league,” said Berman. “Their experience and influence will be instrumental as we continue building not just a league, but a movement — one that redefines entertainment and what’s possible in sports.” The league was founded in 2012 and kicked off its first season of games in 2013. Its season now runs March through November. Women’s soccer has been lifted by the wave of investment, attendance and TV viewership gains that women’s sports has enjoyed in recent years in the U.S. and other countries. Berman’s hope is that the combined firepower of key NWSL investors will spur business development for the league, among other benefits. The plan is to convene twice a year with team owners, staff and players to share information and address common problems. The league said it would work with Boardroom, the media and events firm headed by the NBA’s Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman, to assemble the inaugural summit in the spring of next year. The NWSL is banking on the star power and cultural clout of its board members to open doors and bulldoze barriers to women’s sports in general. “Women’s sports are rewriting the rules of what’s possible — and the NWSL is leading that charge,” said Banks, the multihyphenate who is an investor in Boston Legacy FC. “This league has incredible athletes, incredible stories, and an incredible fan base. I’m proud to help amplify that energy and make sure the next generation sees women’s sports not as the exception, but as the standard.” The presence of prominent male athletes on the board sends a signal to corporate America and Madison Avenue. “The NWSL is one of the most exciting leagues in sports today, with growth that rivals anything we’ve seen before,” said Manning, the famed NFL quarterback and an investor in Gotham FC. “I’m honored to be part of this Advisory Board and to help continue building a league that inspires communities, empowers women, and sets the standard for excellence on and off the field.” Morgan is the Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup winner who retired last year after a 15-year professional career. She was a star player for the San Diego Wave FC who acquired a minority stake in the team last year. “As players, we’ve seen firsthand how much the NWSL has grown and how much potential still lies ahead,” Morgan said. “What makes this Advisory Board so special is that it brings together people who share our belief in what women’s soccer can be — not just as a sport, but as a movement. I’m proud to be part of helping shape the next chapter for the league, the players, and the fans who make it all possible.” (Pictured: Alex Morgan, Sabrina Ionescu and Magic Johnson)
