New Denver soccer team highlights growing enthusiasm in women's sports

The latest: He and Gov. Jared Polis joined National Women's Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman on Thursday to celebrate Denver becoming home to the 16th NWSL club.

• The yet-to-be-named team expects to start competing in 2026.

State of play: The historic announcement comes one day after a new women's pro rugby team released its team name and colors. The Denver Onyx will be Colorado's first pro women's team in more than two decades.

Why it matters: The expansions localize the growing enthusiasm for women's sports nationwide and means Denver looks set to bank on the nascent fandom.

By the numbers: IMA Financial Group CEO Rob Cohen, who will serve as the controlling owner of the soccer team, led Denver's bid. Mellody Hobson, who is part of the Denver Broncos ownership group, will also serve as co-owner.

• The record-breaking $110 million expansion fee illustrates how serious supporters were about bringing a women's soccer team to a state that's produced top women's players.

The intrigue: The promise of a new stadium for the team gave Denver the edge over a Cincinnati bid led by WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, the Wall Street Journal reports.

• Cohen on Thursday said the stadium will be privately funded. The team is expected to play in a temporary venue to start, per the Denver Post.

Case in point: NWSL credited For Denver FC, a grassroots group founded by Cohen, for helping land the team in Denver.

What they're saying: "The interest in women's sports and in the NWSL in particular has never been higher," Berman said during Thursday's celebration at RiNo venue Number 38.

Flashback: The last women's pro team to compete locally was the Colorado Chill, a basketball team based in Loveland that won back-to-back titles before folding in 2007.

• Local interest in bringing a WNBA franchise to Denver has also grown in recent years, though the league ultimately passed on awarding the city a franchise in 2023.

Between the lines: The two new teams will start from scratch in the smallest market in the U.S. to host all four major American men's sports leagues, competing with established brands with championship pedigrees for money and attention.