Berman says NWSL is “future-proofing” itself, announces rolling expansion process

Nov 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; National Womenís Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman answers a question during a press conference ahead of the 2024 NWSL Championship match between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images

National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman on Thursday cited four areas of focus for the league during a press conference. She said the league is future-proofing itself, also announced that the expansion process has been converted to a rolling process.

“I can say we’ve never been more focused than we are right now on the things that we think matter most when the world is watching,” Berman said from league headquarters in Manhattan. “In particular when the world’s eyes are on this country and the sport of soccer.”

Berman spoke following a week of NWSL owners’ meetings which she deemed “a really important moment,” with owners coming together in support of the league’s long-term strategy.

As for the four areas of focus, Berman said: “Our four key focus areas are making sure we have the most exciting games, that we are driving the soccer narrative, that we are trusted as a league, and that we are building the talent pipeline. Everything that we are going to be working on in the coming years is going to be focused on those four areas.

“We are future-proofing our league. We are positioning our league for sustained success. We’re in it for the long game. Our owners are investing in the things that demonstrate that they’re here to ensure that our league achieves our mission of being the best league in the world.”

NWSL’s position as the best league on the planet has rarely been challenged — at least not in terms of top to bottom. But that status has never been more tenuous. Alyssa Thompson’s recent transfer to Chelsea at age 20 set off alarm bells around the soccer world. Less than three years after orchestrating her way into Angel City, Thompson orchestrated her way out. Those alarm bells came with suggestions that the league’s salary cap, despite its guaranteed increases through the end of the decade, could be a hindrance as more women’s clubs in Europe and elsewhere open up their pocketbooks.

“While I could understand the focus on the salary cap,” Berman said, “the way that players make decisions about where to play is a complex set of considerations. We will always look at that, not in a myopic way but holistically. We are quite confident that the value proposition that we offer to players is compelling and will continue to attract and retain the best players. Particularly as we look at the focal point in this country over the coming years on the sport of soccer and the Olympics and the World Cup. And the level of investment and infrastructure from media partners and brands that only this country could offer.”

Berman added that the league is consistently analyzing all aspects of its business and is open to pivoting as necessary.

On expansion and emergency procedures

Berman said it would be “anticlimactic” to say that expansion process is ongoing, but did say she had news to share, which is that expansion will now be handled on a rolling basis. This means that, instead of announcing a process with deadlines for proposals and decisions, interested groups are encouraged to make their pitch. Boston Legacy FC and Denver Summit FC will join in 2026 to bring the club membership up to 16, and Berman reiterated that there is no reason NWSL can’t one day reach the 30-team heights enjoyed by all five major men’s leagues over North America. She did stop short of stating that as a goal.

“We pretty much know the universe of people — there’s more than a dozen of them. Those conversations are ongoing. Each of them have a different perspective on how much time they need to launch, the investments they need to make in order to be successful, and we want to not force a a square peg into a round hole. We want to be more flexible so we can get to the best possible result for the next round.

“It is open,” she added of the process. “And we will communicate decisions when we’ve made decisions.”

When asked about the situation last weekend in Seattle — Berman did not bring it up in opening remarks — the commissioner said she was pleased with how everyone involved handled Savannah DeMelo’s medical emergency. The decision to discontinue the match, she said, was “a no-brainer.”

DeMelo fell to the turf near halftime of Sunday’s Reign match against Racing Louisville and was transported from the field via ambulance. It was eerily similar to an incident earlier this year involving Savy King. That match was not stopped but the league said shortly after that it should have been, and would be in the future.

“No one wants to have had to have experience practicing these policies,” Berman said. “But having had the opportunity to play it out earlier this year, assess and learn the things we can do better, and then actually have the chance to do it better the second time around, was a moment that allowed us to show what we’re capable of. The decision-making tree was streamlined. We knew exactly what was happening, and we knew exactly who need to make decisions. And we facilitated them immediately. The decision to not continue the game was a no-brainer and did not require contemplation.”