Jessica Berman, commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), announced ambitious plans to expand the league potentially to the size of the NFL. Currently with 14 teams, the NWSL is set to add teams from Boston and Denver in 2026, reaching 16 total. Berman believes there are no barriers to this growth, except for developing top talent. However, opinions among league executives are mixed about rapid expansion, with many fearing that it may exceed sustainable growth. Currently, expansion processes are not active, and there is no timeline beyond adding the two new teams.
National Women's Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman shares her vision for NWSL's growth, aspiring for it to match the size of the NFL with ambitious plans for expansion.
Berman's comments at the SheBelieves Summit emphasized the league's potential, highlighting the vast talent pool in the U.S. and the need for strategic development to achieve expansive goals.
Despite current plans for expansion to 16 teams by 2026, concerns exist within the NWSL community regarding the pace of growth and the adequacy of resources to support a larger league.
Berman noted that while expansion conversations are ongoing, there is no immediate timeline beyond 16 teams, as assessing market viability remains crucial.
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