NWSL awards Columbus expansion franchise to Haslam Sports Group for $205m
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Apr 30
NWSL awards Columbus expansion franchise to Haslam Sports Group for $205m
3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Apr 30
The fee tops Atlanta's reported $165m in November and Denver's $110m last January, after expansion cost just $2m in 2022.
CNBC said investors and bankers link the surge partly to buyers priced out of NFL and NBA stakes, creating stronger demand and bidding for cheaper sports assets.
The league's growth has also helped: postseason attendance rose 11% and the final drew nearly 1.2 million viewers, though some investors warn smaller-league valuations may outpace underlying finances.
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