Can Cleveland tap into the power of professional women’s sports?

Cleveland Pro Soccer has submitted the bid to bring a National Women’s Soccer League team to Cleveland, backed by a group that includes 15 local women investors. A decision on that bid could be announced any day.

Michael Murphy, co-founder and CEO of Cleveland Pro Soccer, and Keri Sarver, owner and director of the Internationals Soccer Club of Northeast Ohio, appeared on the “Sound of Ideas” on 89.7 WKSU this morning to discuss the bid. Momentum is gathering.

I understand naysayers will note that the Cleveland Rockers WNBA team folded, or that there’s already so much discourse over new stadiums in town, how could we afford another? But pro soccer is already coming to Cleveland in the form of an MLS Next Pro men’s team. Two weeks ago, the Cleveland Metroparks Board of Park Commissioners approved the purchase of undeveloped land across the street from Progressive Field for a soccer stadium.

Media coverage of women’s sports has nearly tripled since 2019, according to Forbes. Last year, the NWSL announced deals with CBS, ESPN and Amazon worth $240 million. People want to watch women’s sports.

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