The National Women’s Soccer League is expanding into Northern California.
Global investment firm Sixth Street is partnering with four former U.S. Women’s National Team players — Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner — to bring a team to the Bay Area, NWSL announced on Tuesday.
The expansion fee was $53 million, a source with knowledge of the deal told Front Office Sports — more than 10 times the fee paid for the Kansas City Current, who debuted last season.
The team’s name and the home field weren’t announced, although PayPal Park — home to MLS’ San Jose Earthquakes — is expected to be a likely landing spot.
Sixth Street has made more than $1 billion in sports-related investments over the last two years.
“The number of bids and the increase in the league’s expansion fees are indicative of both the demand that exists for women’s soccer in the professional sports landscape and the validated growth trajectory of our league,” NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman said.
The Bay Area team and Utah Royals will give the NWSL 14 teams next season.
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