NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman says expansion race is down to Denver, Cleveland and Cincinnati

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Ahead of the 2024 NWSL Championship, league commissioner Jessica Berman said that the next NWSL expansion team will be in either Denver, Cleveland or Cincinnati. She added that more "news will be in the coming weeks."

In 2024, the NWSL added two new clubs: Bay FC and Utah Royals. In 2026, the league will add two more, one being Boston's BOS Nation FC, and the next to still be announced.

Caitlin Clark, WNBA rookie superstar for the Indiana Fever is part of an ownership group considered among the finalists in a bid for a 16th NWSL franchise. Clark is part of the Cincinnati ownership group. Berman said Clark's "contribution to women's sports is historic, having her interest in the NWSL is an honor."

"We're really enthusiastic about the final three prospects that we have in the process," Berman told reporters. "Those three markets are Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver. We'll have news to share in the coming weeks as we move to close with one of those three markets."

As it stands, the 2024 season has 14 teams. The addition of BOS Nation FC will be No. 15, and one more will make it 16 come 2026. Potentially more in coming years? Most likely.