It’s becoming harder and harder for the haters to ignore women’s soccer. Viewership numbers skyrocketed during the 2022 Euros, the USWNT is finally getting paid for its discrimination lawsuit and if you ask how much are NWSL teams worth, the answer will now be nine figures long.
The National Women’s Soccer League is coming up on the 10th anniversary of its founding and the league has never been stronger. Newcomers Angel City FC and San Diego Wave have finally brought the NWSL to the Golden State, and both clubs have hit the ground running on and off the pitch.
Angel City has become a new standard bearer in the NWSL, with a women-led ownership group filled with A-list celebrities and sports stars. ACFC has already become the most valuable NWSL franchise. Fan engagement has been incredible, with Angel City averaging 19,006 fans per match, more than triple the league average. Angel City ranks ahead of 14 MLS clubs in attendance.
With that in mind, the club’s valuation has gone through the roof.
How Much Are NWSL Teams Worth
Angel City is now worth $100 million, according to a report from Sportico. This makes the club worth more than twice as much as the second most valuable team in the NWSL.
Top 3 NWSL Team Values
- Angel City — $100 million
- Gotham FC — $40 million
- Washington Spirit — $35 million
The $100 million mark is mighty impressive for a league whose clubs were valued closer to $1 or $2 million in the early years. Still, it lags behind Major League Soccer, where club values range from $860 million (LAFC) to $370 million (Colorado Rapids).
There are many reasons Angel City is valued so highly.
For starters, the ownership group is full of celebrities with plenty of money to back up the club. We’re talking Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Uzo Aduba, Eva Longoria, Gabrielle Union, Jennifer Garner, Christina Aguilera, Becky G, Serena Williams and many former USWNT stars, plus Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian (Williams’ husband).
As mentioned, fan support has been massive. The club has sold more than 16,000 season tickets. More than that, the club has signed big sponsorship deals with the likes of DoorDash and more bringing in approximately $35 million.
How did Angel City FC get to be more than 2x as valuable as the next closest NWSL club?
the league’s commercial growth
Angel City’s celebrity-laden ownership
optimism for soccer in the U.S.
expectations for league appreciation https://t.co/7kmvpim0Xx— Sportico (@Sportico) August 12, 2022
Additionally, the NWSL and women’s soccer in general are on the rise. Attendance at the 2022 Women’s Euros shattered records, averaging 18,544 per match. The final set a record for men’s or women’s attendance with 87,192 packing into Wembley Stadium to see England beat Germany 2-1.
The NWSL is looking to continue expansion to 14 teams, with some estimates putting that 14th club expansion fee around $40 million, in range with the other highest NWSL team values.
As always, when you give resources to women’s sports, the fans come in droves. All the trolls on social media who claim nO oNe WaTcHeS wOmEn’S sOcCeR are repeatedly being proven wrong.
