The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has taken a monumental step forward with the official unveiling of its 16th expansion team in Denver, Colorado. Set to begin play in the 2026 season, the yet-to-be-named Denver club is poised to make history as the first top-tier professional women’s sports team in the Mile High City. The ownership group, led by Rob Cohen, Chairman and CEO of IMA Financial Group, has already demonstrated their unwavering commitment to elevating women’s soccer with a record-breaking $110 million expansion fee.
A Groundbreaking Investment in Women’s Sports
The Denver expansion marks not only a significant milestone for the NWSL but also represents one of the largest investments ever made in women’s professional sports. Cohen, a longtime advocate for sports in the Denver area, recognized the immense potential and growing appetite for women’s soccer in the community. “This is about making the largest investment in women’s sports, probably in history,” Cohen emphasized. “It’s more than just the expansion fee. It’s the commitment to building a permanent stadium and a training facility that are world-class and that are primarily for women.”
A Diverse and Experienced Ownership Group
Joining Cohen in this trailblazing venture is a diverse group of investors, each bringing unique expertise and passion to the table:
- Project Level, a subsidiary of Ariel Investments focused on leveling the playing field in women’s sports investment, led by Chairwoman Mellody Hobson and former Washington Commanders president Jason Wright
- FirstTracks Sports Ventures LLC (FTSV), headed by siblings Jon-Erik Borgen and Kaia Borgen Moritz, along with Neelima Joshi, Dhiren Jhaveri, and Molly Coors
NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman praised Denver as the perfect match for the league’s rapid growth, highlighting the city’s passionate sports culture and vibrant fan base. “As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, we knew it was critical to launch our 16th team in a city with a passionate sports culture and vibrant fan base — and Denver is the perfect match,” Berman stated.
Ambitious Plans for World-Class Facilities
The Denver ownership group is wasting no time in establishing the foundation for long-term success. Plans are already underway for the construction of a purpose-built stadium and state-of-the-art training facility designed specifically with the needs of female athletes in mind. While the team will play in a temporary venue for its inaugural season, Cohen assured that they are “quite far along” in determining a location for their permanent home.
“We’ve spent a lot of time on the training facility actually studying the needs of women because it’s quite different than men. Most of the training facilities have been built, for lack of a better word, in the shadow of men’s facilities as opposed to really leaning in and understanding what it is that women need and how they need it, and building a facility around that.”
– Rob Cohen, Denver NWSL Majority Owner
Building a Winning Franchise in the Mile High City
As the ownership group tackles the myriad tasks involved in launching a new franchise, from choosing a team name and colors to assembling a competitive roster, they remain confident in their ability to thrive in Denver’s sports-mad market. Cohen, with his deep understanding of the local landscape, believes there is ample room for a well-run women’s soccer team to capture the hearts of fans.
“I think there’s plenty of room for a well-run franchise that puts a winning product on the field. I think the appetite for sports and the appetite for women’s sports particularly is quite high in this community.”
– Rob Cohen, Denver NWSL Majority Owner
The NWSL’s expansion into Denver marks an exciting new chapter in the league’s history, one that promises to elevate women’s soccer to unprecedented heights. With a committed ownership group, ambitious plans for world-class facilities, and a passionate fan base eager to embrace a new team, the Mile High City is poised to become a powerhouse in the world of women’s professional sports.
