The National Women’s Soccer League has assembled an Avengers-like group of star investors in NWSL teams on an advisory board with the aim of driving new business opportunities and expanding the overall reach of the U.S. league.
The effort, spearheaded by NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman, has helped expand the organization’s footprint across the United States, with 16 clubs from San Diego to Boston. The panel members and their team affiliations are as follows:
Chris Paul (Angel City FC)
Julie Foudy (Angel City FC)
Brandi Chastain (Bay FC)
Sabrina Ionescu (Bay FC)
Elizabeth Banks (Boston Legacy FC)
Aly Raisman (Boston Legacy FC)
Jordan Angeli (Denver Summit FC)
Brittany Mahomes (Kansas City Current)
Sue Bird (Gotham FC)
Eli Manning (Gotham FC)
Lauren Holiday (North Carolina Courage)
Grant Hill (Orlando Pride)
Tamia Hill (Orlando Pride)
Joey Harrington (Portland Thorns FC)
Bryce Young (Portland Thorns FC)
Ken Griffey Jr. (Seattle Reign FC)
Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC)
Lindsey Vonn (Utah Royals FC)
Dominic Dawes (Washington Spirit)
Magic Johnson (Washington Spirit)
“As I looked around at our club’s investor base, I realized how fortunate we are to have such an extraordinary group of cultural icons, athletes and leaders who believe in and invest in the power and potential of this league,” Berman said. “Their experience and influence will help us continue to build not just a league, but a movement that redefines what is possible in entertainment and sports.”
The league was founded in 2012 and began its first season in 2013. The season currently runs from March to November. Women’s soccer has been buoyed by a wave of increased investment, attendance and television viewership that women’s sports have enjoyed in the United States and other countries in recent years. Berman’s hope is that the combined efforts of major NWSL investors will accelerate the league’s business development and provide other benefits.
The plan is for team owners, staff and players to meet twice a year to share information and address common issues. The league announced it will partner with Boardroom, the media and events company led by the NBA’s Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman, to host the first summit next spring.
The NWSL relies on the star power and cultural influence of its board members to open doors and break down barriers for women’s sports in general.
“Women’s sports are rewriting the rules of what is possible, and the NWSL is leading the way,” said Banks, a multihyphenate and investor in Boston Legacy FC. “This league has great athletes, great stories, and a great fan base. We’re proud to amplify that energy and help the next generation see women’s sports as the norm, not the exception.”
Having a prominent male athlete on the board sends a signal to corporate America and Madison Avenue.
“The NWSL is one of the most exciting leagues in sports today, with growth comparable to any league we’ve ever seen,” said Manning, a renowned NFL quarterback and Gotham FC investor. “I am honored to serve on this advisory board and help build a league that inspires communities, empowers women, and sets the standard for excellence on and off the field.”
Morgan, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup champion, retired last year after a 15-year professional career. She is a star player for the San Diego Wave FC and acquired a minority stake in the team last year.
“As players, we have seen firsthand how much the NWSL has grown and how much potential it still has going forward,” Morgan said. “What makes this advisory committee special is that we have people who share our belief in what women’s soccer can be, not just as a sport, but as a movement. I’m proud to help shape the next chapter for our league, our players, and the fans who make it possible.”
(Photo: Alex Morgan, Sabrina Ionescu, Magic Johnson)
