Caitlin Clark & Cincinnati NWSL Bid in Jeopardy As Cleveland Group’s $150million Project Poses Threat

Caitlin Clark has shown that her influence extends far beyond basketball. Her off-season highlights this, with her participation in a golf tournament boosting ticket sales and her mere presence at a football game sparking social media buzz for the franchise. Now, it appears the Indiana Fever star is setting her sights on expanding her reach into soccer. However, her efforts may face tough competition from rival groups also vying for attention in the same space.

As the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) prepares to expand with a 16th team, several cities are vying for the coveted spot, including Cincinnati. The city’s ownership group is making waves by adding reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark, to their team. FC Cincinnati expressed their excitement in a statement, saying,. “The NWSL Cincinnati bid team is thrilled that Caitlin Clark has joined our ownership group in pursuit of bringing a women’s professional soccer team to our city.”

However, Cincinnati’s dream of joining the NWSL is facing strong competition, particularly from Cleveland. While Cincinnati holds an advantage with its existing TQL Stadium, which opened in 2021, Cleveland’s ownership group is also making waves in the race. They’ve secured a prime 13.6-acre site across from Progressive Field for a $150 million stadium, designed to seat 12,500 fans, with the potential to expand to 20,000.

Although Cincinnati is currently leading the bid for the NWSL’s 16th expansion spot, Cleveland’s recent moves could pose a challenge to Caitlin Clark’s aspirations. The expansion fee for the NWSL’s 16th team could reach nearly $100 million, according to multiple sources. This follows the $53 million paid by both Boston and Bay FC to join the league in 2023. Regardless of whether Cincinnati secures the spot, the ownership group is excited to have Clark on board, adding her influence to their bid.

Caitlin Clark’s expanding influence

Since Caitlin Clark made her WNBA debut as the reigning Rookie of the Year, the “Caitlin Clark effect” has been hard to ignore. Her presence has packed arenas and set TV viewership records. Now, as part of Cincinnati’s ownership group, Clark’s influence is once again making waves. The franchise has recognized her impact on elevating women’s sports, acknowledging the power of her star power in bringing attention to the game.

“Her passion for the sport, commitment to elevating women’s sports in and around the Greater Cincinnati region, and influence as an athlete and role model for women and girls around the world, make her a vital part of our compelling bid to become the 16th team in the NWSL,” Cincinnati officials said in the statement.

Caitlin Clark’s influence extended beyond basketball when she participated in The Annika Pro-Am tournament at Pelican Golf Club in Florida. Just a day before the event, a report by Indiana Fever beat reporter Scott Agness revealed a staggering 1200% spike in ticket sales, proving how her presence drives massive attention and engagement. Her debut WNBA season also set multiple viewership records and broke the league’s attendance record during her final regular season game against the Washington Mystics.

Now, as Clark joins the bidding race for an NWSL expansion team, it seems her impact could extend to women’s soccer as well, only if Cleveland does not hinder Cincinnati dreams.