I mean, I wouldn't even call it a "phantom team", there is literally no sign of interest right now. X'-D The article is nothing more than a journalist following through with what sensible local questions might be. But if we want to WMG our way through NYC, then you're gonna run into the same problems that Gotham and NYCFC have already been struggling with for years: RBA is the only semi-viable soccer stadium in the area. College stadiums are out of the question at this point, both from a capacity standpoint and from a TV-infrastructure standpoint. And there isn't really room in NYC to build a new pro stadium (of any sport) anywhere.
There’s a nice soccer stadium at Rochester. Gotham is pretty much playing at Red Bull. Doesn’t make sense to have two teams really close together%
https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/friday-newsletter-lets-break-some?s=w [Wahl] Sources tell me 5 MLS ownership groups have strong interest in starting NWSL expansion teams—plus two non-MLS groups in MLS cities.
NEW: Sources tell me 5 MLS ownership groups have strong interest in starting NWSL expansion teams—plus two non-MLS groups in MLS cities. Read more here: https://t.co/binmmk0FCm pic.twitter.com/xs0oOdIvoL— Subscribe to GrantWahl.com (@GrantWahl) May 13, 2022 I think hey skip next year for expansion due to the World Cup, but start expanding again for 2024.
Interesting... Toronto and Columbus are new names in the mix. The others have already been in the picture for a while. There's no reason to speculate on that - they've gone on record multiple times already (including some of the news shared in this thread over the past week) that 2023 is off the table. Now, there could be some speculation on the reason why - and I don't think it's because of the World Cup. Just look at NWSL's history - three of the past four expansions have had more than one year before launch, and it's not hard to argue that those have been the best launches the league has seen. No one wants or needs a short run up.
And just as a recap for the seven cities mentioned: Atlanta - showed some interest a few years ago, been mostly quiet since Austin - been showing interest on and off since the MLS team launched Cincy - somewhere between Atlanta and Austin Columbus - new, not one I would like to see San Francisco - been in the picture since the other two CA teams; a recent tweet suggested they were very close to a 2024 approval Salt Lake - new ownership group has a rider to relaunch the Royals in either 2023 (already ruled out by both them and by NWSL) or 2024 (likely) Toronto - new, might run into similar problems that Vancouver did the other year
Interestingly, it sounds like Austin FC may be owning but not operating a potential NWSL team there: 1525287784843382784 is not a valid tweet id And I guess Denver and New England are in the picture too? (Return of the Breakers?)
Salt Lake & San Francisco/San Jose appear the front-runners, likely for 2024. Don't think the NWSL will have teams in Cincinnati AND Columbus. I'd pencil in Cincinnati first. Austin appears uncertain. Toronto probably hits the same roadblocks that Vancouver did. Atlanta should have a team considering how successful their MLS team is for fans. Denver's new. Wouldn't mind the Breakers returning. If I were to guess, I'd say four of these actually happen: Utah Royals return, Bay Area team, Cincinnati & Atlanta.
I think it is so important that the quality of talent is there before they expand to fast. They also need a marquee player in these new cities to draw fans. Alex Morgan in San Diego is a huge draw. Same with Press at Angel City.
While I agree in general about the speed of expansion - I've pushed the brakes on other posters in this thread many times throughout the years - I don't think either of these concerns is something to actually worry about. Talent pool - not a concern for three reasons: one, we've seen in MLS that there's really no such thing as "expanding too fast for the talent pool"; two, the domestic WoSo talent pool via NCAA is way deeper than it is for BroSo; and three, NWSL pays way more for mid- and lower-high-tier players than any other league, which is definitely not the case with MLS, so attracting non-domestic talent isn't a problem either Marquee player - doesn't really matter from either end of the argument. UTA and LOU have proven to do quite well without marquee players. Conversely, ORL's historic talent riches have not helped their attendance much at all. Plus, LA would likely be drawing as well as they are even without Press, just because of the market hunger for WoSo
"NWSL pays way more for mid- and lower-high-tier players than any other league" I had no idea about this. Thank you for this information.
I'd guess the Breakers name is in the dustbin of history. I would be shocked at this point if that name is recycled.
Nashville and Phoenix in the mix now, too. Atlanta a top candidate. https://justwomenssports.com/nwsl-expansion-possibilities-mls-owners-interest/ Atlanta, according to The Athletic, is also a top candidate for NWSL expansion, with a team spokesperson telling the publication in March, “We continue to evaluate bringing an NWSL franchise to Atlanta. As part of this process, we’ve had several productive conversations with the league; however, we are not in a position to provide an update, nor a timetable, at this time.”
That JWS article mischaracterizes Atlanta's candidacy. The Athletic article they link to says "Atlanta has to be considered a front-runner" as opposed to "is also a top candidate". I have to image Atlanta looks desirable from the outside in, just because of the kind of operation they have established with the MLS team, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're very far along in the process at all. Also, the quote comes from March, not recently.
PODCAST: @NWSL Commissioner @JessicaBerman1 joins @SBRadio to discuss the state of the league, potential expansion, the growth of women's sports & how the #equalpay deal with @ussoccer will impact @NWSL players.LISTEN: https://t.co/9V0V4Qn4cM pic.twitter.com/vhq125cadi— SportsBusinessRadio (@SBRadio) May 24, 2022
BAY AREA HAPPENINGS! ⚽️⚡️We’re stoked to see the exciting growth of women’s soccer in the Bay Area. #BayIsBallin'Check it out⤵️📰Bay Area NWSL expansion bid: https://t.co/bQqtjvBas7 Interview with Oakland Soul and Roots president, Lindsay Barenz:https://t.co/RYXRpgU6eX pic.twitter.com/Hw9BHDdhXB— Women in Soccer (@womeninsoccerus) June 23, 2022
For @ESPNFC: Everything you need to know about #NWSL expansion🔹2 teams for 2024🔹Utah's return expected as 1🔹Which cities fighting for 1 spot🔹Bank-led process🔹Expansion fee guidance🔹Exclusive insights from commissioner Jessica Bermanhttps://t.co/W0gRF5Hedl pic.twitter.com/jtfUDbKsF6— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) June 30, 2022
I'll guess: Utah and Atlanta join for 2024. Chicago relocation to Cincinnati Orlando relocation to Austin Bay Area and Toronto join in 2026.
The article mentions CHI, NC(!), and ORL as attendance woes, but I didn't (and still largely don't) see relocation for any of those three save for the slew of questionable signs that came out of ORL this past week or two. And *if* ORL relocate, I wouldn't be surprised if the current owners try to hit refresh on the team by bringing it closer to home (i.e. Minny) instead of selling the team to another group. IMO the only way anyone leapfrogs the Bay Area for the second 2024 slot is if they have the $$$ to completely bulldoze through all of the hoops any expansion team needs to jump through. That *could* be Atlanta, but even the ESPN article makes it sounds like the Bay Area is still first in line. And Austin (which also has money) has been in the picture longer than Atlanta has. Toronto might be nice, but I assume they'll run into the same problems that Vancouver did. And as a completely biased end note, I'd love for STL City to get in on NWSL sooner rather than later!
I think the league will look at facilities heavily too. Will the Bay Area franchise be able and willing to put up a training facility/structure like KC did? KC is also building a stadium for the team. Bay area, like LA, is very costly to do something like this. The land alone is incredibly expensive. The location of the Bay area is great, but they would need serious money I believe to win the bid. If they do not have big wallets owning it, it is too risky there. Right now it is getting the attention simply because of the names behind the project. They (Brandi Chastain, Wagner, etc) pushed it out into the media.
Last I heard, the Bay Area bid is planning on using the Earthquakes stadium in the same was LA is using the Banc - so no big worry there.