NWSL Adds 18th Club, Bringing In Columbus Ohio For Record $205M Fee
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 08:42PM By Barry Janoff
April 21, 2026: The National Women’s Soccer League said today it has awarded Columbus, Ohio, the league’s 18th franchise.
The club, set to begin play in 2028, will be owned by Haslam Sports Group, Columbus-base Nationwide Mutual Insurance and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.
The group will pay a $205 million expansion fee for the team, according to industry analysts, a record for a NWSL club.
The club will play in ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, home to the MLS Crew.
The Columbus franchise will join the league alongside a team in Atlanta, which also begins play in 2028. The
Atlanta ownership group — owned by Arthur M. Blank and operated by AMB Sports and Entertainment — which was awarded team No. 17 in November 2025, paid a $165 million expansion fee, a record at the time, according to industry analysts.
“As the NWSL continues its rapid growth, expanding to Columbus is a natural next step,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said via the league.
“This is a city with a rich soccer tradition, a proven track record of support at the highest level, and an ownership group making meaningful, long-term investments in women’s sports.”
Ownership plans to invest another $100 million for infrastructure. An additional $50 million in support will come from the city and Franklin County — $25 million each — according to industry analysts.
Haslam Sports Group’s portfolio now encompasses operating rights of NWSL Columbus 2028, ownership of the NFL Cleveland Browns, operating rights to MLS Columbus Crew and co-ownership of the Milwaukee Bucks; as well as investments in HSG Ventures, HSG Facilities, the WNBA and other entities.
“Our family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,” Haslam Sports Group Managing Partner Whitney Haslam Johnson said via the organizaiton.
“We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world. Sports are one of today’s greatest unifiers and are incredible for their communities. The NWSL will have a significant impact on Columbus within and beyond sports, now and for future generations.”
Whitney Haslam Johsnon said the ownership group plans to build a 45,000 square foot training facility for the women and “do some updates within ScottsMiracle-Gro Field. We'll be adding a women's locker room . . . and obviously we'll do updates to branding and signage to showcase our women's team."
Nationwide has been an official partner of the Columbus Crew since 2020 and a national partner of the NWSL since 2021, The new NWSL club adds to a broader portfolio of sports relationships for Nationwide that also includes sponsorships in the NFL, PGA Tour and NHL.
“We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world."
“Today’s announcement is about inspiring young athletes across Central Ohio, elevating women’s professional sports and reminding the world that Columbus is a first-class sports city,” Kirt Walker, Nationwide CEO, said via the company. “As Nationwide marks 100 years, this is a powerful way to celebrate our milestone with the community that has been our home from the very beginning.
"When young athletes in Central Ohio can see women competing at the highest level in their own backyard and see the investment, facilities and visibility match what they see in the men's game, it sends a powerful message about what's possible. We're proud to stand alongside Haslam Sports Group and the Edwards family to help make that a reality in Columbus,"
The NWSL has now expanded from ten clubs in 2021 to 18 in 2028. Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC are in their first seasons, brining the NWSL to 16 teams.
NWSL To Atlanta: Record $165M Fee, $330M Investment In Team, League
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