Eagles face uncertainty as Columbus eyes pro women's soccer

The big picture: Women's sports are in an unprecedented period of growth, with cities, ownership groups and even sports bar owners scrambling to get in on the action.

In February, Columbus Crew and Cleveland Browns owner Haslam Sports Group confirmed it's leading an ownership group aiming to bring NWSL to Columbus.

• The city is likely to offer financial help — more on that below.

The Eagles were founded in 2013 by Mark Wise (today the team's CEO) and played their first games in 2014.

• They started and remain a member of the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL), a massive semi-pro league of 200 teams in 150 cities across the country.
• The team's 2026 WPSL season kicks off in May, with home games at Fortress Obetz.
• The Eagles also play in indoor leagues like the women's division of Major Arena Soccer League.

Context: Eagles players are not paid, but Wise says they're offered occasional NIL opportunities.

• The minimum NWSL salary is $50,500 in 2026.

Behind the scenes: Wise saw the eventual growth of women's soccer coming, but didn't have the money to properly cash in, he tells Axios.

• "It's kind of like if you had known years ago that Apple was going to be successful, but you just didn't have the resources to invest in them," he says. "That's how I feel."

As Columbus courts the NWSL, Wise can't help but have mixed feelings.

• He's "a little disappointed people didn't pay more attention earlier," but is still thrilled to see the women's game soaring.
• "If what we did along the way helped move the needle, that's good enough for me."

The other side: Haslam Sports Group acknowledges how "important" the Eagles have been to the Columbus soccer ecosystem.

• Spokesperson Rob McBurnett tells Axios that HSG respects the Eagles and what they've built, and hasn't ruled out partnering with them in the future.
• The Eagles have played games in Historic Crew Stadium and borrowed training space over the years, and McBurnett says the teams have a great relationship.

From the Eagles' inception, Wise says his goal was to "build the infrastructure and sponsorship and fan base and all that so that we could support a professional women's soccer team in Columbus."

• The question, he says, was whether the Eagles would be that team themselves, a wealthy benefactor would fund them, or someone with more resources than he would take the idea and run with it.

The bottom line: "It seems like we've figured out which of those three happened."

How it works: Columbus' NWSL plan

As the Eagles prepare for their season, Columbus and a Haslam Sports Group-backed ownership group are working to entice the NWSL with public and private funds.

Catch up quick: This month, the City of Columbus proposed a new 2% tax on Crew games and other events at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, where the NWSL team would play.

• The tax would raise funds to pay back $25 million for a training facility on currently vacant McCoy Park land.
• It's expected to take a decade to pay in full — after which the tax would remain in place.

The ownership group would include HSG, Crew co-owner Pete Edwards and Nationwide.

The big picture: Around a dozen markets are competing for the 18th NWSL franchise, commissioner Jessica Berman said in March.

Friction point: Residents near McCoy Park are furious that they've spent years working on plans for the open field that included softball and soccer fields, playgrounds and a splashpad.

• Ginther has only offered that he's "committed to providing them with the recreation opportunities that they desire and they deserve," per the Dispatch.

Public reactions were mixed at a Columbus City Council hearing last week.

• There was a rally of supporters outside, but also a handful of residents frustrated at public funding going toward a private project.

What we're watching: The facility and funding plan is scheduled to be introduced at the council's April 13 meeting.

• The Dispatch reports a vote could come April 20.