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New for 2022: NWSL Los Angeles expansion team

NWSLWe’ll have an NWSL Los Angeles expansion team for the 2022 season, as a star-studded majority woman-founded group is spearheading the “Angel City” effort.

The group is led by Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman, technology venture capitalist Kara Nortman, media and gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman, and tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian.

There are many details to be finalized regarding the NWSL Los Angeles expansion team, including the specific branding and the team’s venue. The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the ownership group is in talks to play at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

The founding investor group includes Serena Williams and daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, Jr., actors Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, and Eva Longoria, late night talk show host Lilly Singh, former US Women’s National Team players including twelve representing Southern California including Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Rachel Buehler, Shannon Boxx, Amanda Cromwell, Lorrie Fair Allen, Ronnie Fair Sullins, Joy Fawcett, Angela Hucles, Shannon MacMillan, Tisha Venturini Hoch, and Saskia Webber, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and FIFA World Cup Champions Lauren Cheney Holiday and Abby Wambach, author and activist Glennon Doyle, Netflix VP Original Content Cindy Holland, tech entrepreneur and filmmaker Casey Neistat, Founding Board Member of Baby2Baby, Sabina Nathanson, Media Executive David Nathanson, Baby2Baby Co-President Norah Weinstein, and Bad Robot President and COO Brian Weinstein.

“We come together with a collective passion for bringing about change, ” Founder & President Julie Uhrman said in a press statement. “Change for our players, change for our fans, and change for our community. Change that begins today. In addition to announcing the rights to an LA NWSL team, we are thrilled to officially announce our partnership with the LA84 Foundation to help us build out our community relations foundation from the very start. To kick off our relationship, WFC LA/Angel City is now a formal supporter of the Play Equity Fund. The Play Equity Fund is committed to leveling the playing field to help ensure that all kids across Los Angeles have access and the opportunity to experience the transformational power of sport.”

The Los Angeles expansion plan joins Louisville in the NWSL expansion queue, as Racing Louisville FC begins play in the spring of 2021 with backing from Soccer Holdings, LLC, the same group managing two-time USL Championship title winner Louisville City FC. Both the women’s and men’s sides will call Lynn Family Stadium home while training daily at a new $15 million facility fewer than two miles away.

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August Publications