At least two bidders, from Cincinnati and Denver, presented their pitches for the latest NWSL expansion franchise to the league in New York. The meetings, held at the ArentFox Schiff law offices, involved the league’s bankers and lawyers, but it’s unclear if other bidders participated. The NWSL, which currently has 14 teams, plans to select its 16th team by October 2024, with the new team expected to start playing in 2026 alongside Boston, which was selected in 2023. Recent expansions and sales, like Bay FC and the San Diego Wave, highlight growing investor interest in the league, with franchise valuations reaching significant highs. Additionally, the NWSL and its players’ union have quietly agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement set to take effect after 2026, which will include better compensation and more player movement.