Caitlin Clark Expands Legacy: From WNBA Star to Soccer Team Owner

2024 is the year that women's sports finally took center stage.

This past year, Iowa native and former Hawkeye legend Caitlin Clark helped propel women's basketball to the front of everyone's mind. From college hoops to the WNBA, women's sports has always been worth watching.

Now everyone knows how great it is.

While the 2024 Rookie of the Year might not be getting back on the court during the off season, she is shifting from being a baller to bein in the boardroom.

Get our free mobile app

Caitlin Clark Joining Ownership Group For A Midwestern NWSL Team

Just like the WNBA, the National Women's Soccer League is growing.

There are currently fourteen teams in the NWSL. Another team that will be based in Boston is set to join the league during the 2026 season.

Here are the current teams that are a part of the league:

• Angel City FC
• Bay FC
• Chicago Red Stars
• Houston Dash
• Kansas City Current
• NJ/NY Gotham FC
• North Carolina Courage
• Orlando Pride
• Portland Thorns FC
• Racing Louisville FC
• San Diego Wave FC
• Seattle Reign FC
• Utah Royals FC
• Washington Spirit

The NWSL might be expanding just a BIT more, and Iowa's own Caitlin Clark has a hand in it.

Caitlin Clark Could Have Been A Legendary Soccer Player

While Clark is known for her game on the court, in high school she was also known for her passing on the pitch.

That's right! Caitlin Clark could have had a decent shot at playing professional soccer, at least according to her Dad.

"Quite frankly, and I’m not trying to brag about it, but I think she probably could have been the same sort of talent in soccer that she is in basketball,” Brent Clark said to the Des Moines Register.

During her time at Dowling Catholic High in West Des Moines, Clark was able to make a name for herself on her varsity soccer team. In her freshman year she was named to the 2017 Class 3A All-Iowa girl’s soccer team, according to reports.

However, she stepped away from soccer after her sophomore season to focus on basketball.

Caitlin Clark Might Own A Soccer Team

On Friday, November 22nd the commissioner of the NWSL, Jessica Berman confirmed that Cincinnati, Ohio is on a short list for cities that could be getting its own expansion team.

Cleveland and Denver are the two other teams that might get a women's soccer team, according to a report. 

The Cincinnati bid team issued a statement confirming that Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is joining the ownership group.

“Her passion for the sport, commitment to elevating women’s sports in and around the Greater Cincinnati region, and influence as an athlete and role model for women and girls around the world, make her a vital part of our compelling bid to become the 16th team in the NWSL,” representatives of the possible team said.

No official timeline has been set for the confirmation of the expansion team, nor has Clark’s role in the process been fully detailed. Stay tuned for updates as this exciting story unfolds.

Stay up to date with everything going on in Eastern Iowa and beyond by downloading the free station app from your app store.

Also, do not forget to follow the station across all social media platforms for the latest news and sports updates.