Cincinnati soccer team ownership group bids with Caitlin Clark.

• An ownership group, including Caitlin Clark, is seeking to establish a National Women's Soccer League team in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Other potential NWSL franchises besides Cincinnati are Denver, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Nashville.
• The BOS Nation Football Club will join the league in the 2026 season, increasing the number of teams to 15.

An ownership group, including Caitlin Clark, is seeking to establish a National Women's Soccer League team in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Other potential NWSL franchises besides Cincinnati are Denver, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Nashville.

The NWSL Cincinnati bid team expressed excitement that Caitlin Clark has joined their ownership group in their quest to bring a women's professional soccer team to the city.

Her dedication to promoting women's sports, influence as a role model, and passion for the sport make her a crucial component of our bid to join the NWSL as the 16th team.

The BOS Nation Football Club will join the league in the 2026 season, increasing the number of teams to 15.

This year, Bay FC, in its inaugural season, spent $53 million to cover the NWSL expansion fee. Its majority owner, investment firm Sixth Street, committed to investing a total of $125 million in the team.

Cleveland is likely to face competition from Cincinnati for the 16th spot in the league, as the Cleveland Soccer Group has reportedly purchased 13.6 acres of state land in downtown Cleveland to construct a 12,500-seat stadium estimated to cost around $150 million.

At the University of Iowa, Clark was a standout player who has since made a name for herself in the Women's National Basketball Association. During the league's most viewed season on TV in history, Clark contributed significantly to the team's success. In 2024, she was awarded the WNBA Rookie of the Year after setting numerous records, including the most assists in a season with 337 and the most three-pointers made by a rookie with 122.

The NWSL refused to provide any information regarding Clark's affiliation with Cincinnati's ownership group.

— CNBC's Jessica Golden contributed to this report.