Caitlin Clark, the basketball prodigy who already has the WNBA eating out of her hands, is now trying her luck with a new ball. The Indiana Fever rookie sensation has decided to add “sports mogul” to her résumé, as part of a group bidding to bring a National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team to Cincinnati. And the price tag? A jaw-dropping £79.5 million ($100 million). For perspective, that’s enough to buy a small island—or fund one week of Premier League salaries.
Clark’s New Court: The Soccer Field
FC Cincinnati wasted no time hyping Clark’s involvement, declaring her a crucial part of their soccer dreams. In a statement oozing admiration, the NWSL Cincinnati bid team gushed to ESPN:
“Her passion for the sport, commitment to elevating women’s sports, and influence as an athlete and role model make her a vital part of our compelling bid to become the 16th team in the NWSL.”
Translation? “She’s a walking money machine and the kind of star power we need to break the bank—literally.”
Clark’s Court Dominance Inspires a New Field of Dreams
The WNBA darling has already left an indelible mark in her debut season with the Indiana Fever. Picked as the first overall in the 2024 WNBA draft, the 22-year-old wasted no time rewriting the league’s record books:
- Rookie of the Year? Obviously.
- Single-season and single-game assist records? Check.
- Rookie scoring record? Of course.
- First rookie with a triple-double? Why not?
Her dazzling performances led the Fever to the playoffs, though their journey ended when the Connecticut Sun extinguished their hopes. Still, the “Caitlin Clark effect” has turned her into a one-woman brand, and she’s apparently taking that buzz to Cincinnati.
A Pricey Goalpost
This soccer bid isn’t just a casual side hustle. The reported £79.5M buy-in for the 16th NWSL team is almost double what Bay FC and BOS Nation FC paid to join as the 14th and 15th teams last year. Clearly, inflation isn’t just hitting eggs and rent—it’s skyrocketing in sports expansion fees, too.
Bay FC has already made its debut, while BOS Nation FC will sit tight until 2026. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati, the city’s MLS darling, is banking on Clark’s Midas touch to shine a spotlight on their growing soccer aspirations.
A League on the Rise
The NWSL’s journey from an eight-team league in 2012 to potentially 16 teams is a testament to its growth. Portland Thorns FC has cemented its dominance with three championship titles, while the league’s latest drama unfolds on November 23. The 2024 NWSL final between Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit promises a showdown at Kansas City’s CPKC Stadium.
Can Clark Score Big Off the Court?
It’s not every day a rookie crosses over into team ownership before her sophomore season. Caitlin Clark’s foray into soccer might seem ambitious, but hey, this is the same woman who can casually drop a triple-double and make it look like a warm-up drill. Cincinnati soccer fans better get ready for a whirlwind because if Clark’s basketball moves are any indication, she’s about to dribble her way to another slam dunk—this time, with her feet firmly planted on a soccer pitch.
