Bold opener: Columbus could soon become a landmark stop for women’s soccer — and this is where the plot thickens. Haslam Sports Group is quietly weighing the idea of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus, signaling a potential new chapter for soccer fans in Ohio.
Key background: Crew owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam are exploring the possibility of an NWSL expansion in Columbus. While the Haslams also hold majority control of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, a Haslam Sports Group spokesperson confirmed that Columbus is the target city for a potential new franchise.
What this could look like: Haslam Sports Group routinely evaluates a range of investment opportunities in sports and entertainment. The current conversations focus on the best path forward for all parties involved, with strong interest driven by the growth of women’s sports and the NWSL’s expanding footprint. The prospective ownership group is expected to include Nationwide, the Columbus-based insurance giant, along with Crew minority owner Dr. Pete Edwards and Haslam Sports Group managing partners J.W. Johnson and Whitney Haslam.
Statements from partners: Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker expressed enthusiasm for bringing an NWSL team to Columbus, highlighting the city’s passionate women’s soccer community and the Arena District’s readiness to host a second professional club.
Venue and logistics: ESPN reports indicate that if the expansion comes to fruition, NWSL matches would be staged at the Crew’s home field, ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, while the new franchise would maintain separate training facilities.
League context: The NWSL is currently at 17 teams after announcing Atlanta as the latest expansion. The league’s expansion fee was a record $165 million paid by AMB Sports for that new club. Columbus is one of several cities vying for the league’s 18th franchise.
League stance: An NWSL spokesperson noted that the league is engaged in a deliberate, rolling expansion process with multiple high-caliber ownership groups as they consider future growth directly tied to market potential.
Upcoming milestones: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field is slated to host Columbus’s first NWSL event, the Challenge Cup match between Gotham FC and Kansas City Current, on June 26.
Bottom line: This is a developing story with evolving details. We’ll continue to monitor and report on how Columbus’s bid progresses and what it could mean for local soccer culture and professional opportunities.
Contact: bmackay@dispatch.com; @brimackay15
