DENVER — In a significant development for the future of soccer in Colorado, Olympic skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin has become a part-owner of a new Women’s Soccer League team based in Denver, which is set to debut next year.
Shiffrin, famed for her monumental achievements in skiing, including eight world championship titles and two Olympic gold medals, has become a prominent figure in the sports world. Her investment in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team places her among other high-profile athletes and celebrities who have also ventured into NWSL ownership. Notable figures in this growing trend include NBA player James Harden with the Houston Dash, former NFL quarterback Eli Manning with Gotham FC, and actress Natalie Portman, who is involved with Angel City.
Expressing her excitement, Shiffrin stated on Tuesday, “I’m beyond thrilled to join the ownership group of Denver NWSL and support something so meaningful in the community I call home. The sport culture in Colorado is rich and deep, and — most notably — the growth of women’s sports is one of the most exciting movements in our culture today.”
The decision to establish an NWSL team in Denver was confirmed earlier in the year, marking Denver as the league’s 16th club. Alongside Denver, Boston will also introduce a new team in the NWSL’s upcoming season.
In March, the Denver team’s officials publicized their ambitious plans to construct a new soccer stadium in downtown Denver. This facility is poised to become the second dedicated women’s soccer stadium in the entire league, following the Kansas City Current’s opening of CPKC Stadium last year. Consequently, there has been an announcement for the creation of a temporary gaming venue and training grounds in Centennial, Colorado, situated to the southeast of Denver.