**Cincinnati Among Finalists for NWSL Expansion Team**

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) announced on Friday that Cincinnati is one of three cities vying for the league's 16th franchise. After almost a year-long process, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman revealed that Cincinnati, Denver, and Cleveland are the final contenders, edging out previous candidates Nashville and Philadelphia.

Absent from the latest announcement were mentions of Nashville and Philadelphia, which had participated earlier in 2024 but were not seen as frontrunners. The exact timing of the decision remains unclear, but the league is expected to make an announcement about the winning city in the coming weeks. "We're really enthusiastic about the final three markets we have in the process," Berman said. "We'll have news to share in the coming weeks as we look to close on one of those markets."

Cincinnati’s bid received extra attention after it was disclosed that WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark is part of the ownership group. Her involvement was confirmed by Cincinnati officials on Thursday night, generating considerable buzz. Berman highlighted that having Clark's interest in the NWSL is an honor, emphasizing the importance of multi-sport athletes and influencers in growing the league's popularity.

Carl Lindner III, FC Cincinnati's controlling owner and co-chief executive officer, had already been named as a potential owner in Cincinnati's bid. Last October, Sports Business Journal mentioned a group of female investors from the area, but Clark's addition adds significant weight to the bid. Clark, a standout in NCAA basketball and a top pick to be the WNBA’s 2024 Rookie of the Year with the Indiana Fever, brings considerable star power to the Cincinnati effort.

The details of Clark's role within the ownership group remain vague, but her participation underscores the high-profile nature of Cincinnati’s bid. The announcement was part of a broader series of events leading up to the NWSL championship match between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri—the world’s first stadium built specifically for women's soccer.

As the NWSL celebrates its 12th anniversary, the league looks forward to expanding to 16 teams in 2026, with Boston's BOS Nation FC and the winning bid from Cincinnati, Denver, or Cleveland slated to join that year. This latest round of expansion has been conducted mostly behind closed doors, a stark contrast to Cincinnati’s dramatic public campaign to join Major League Soccer (MLS).