Caitlin Clark Is Investing in Women’s Sports as She Looks to Bring NWSL Team to Cincinnati

Caitlin Clark continues to make the most of her time during the WNBA off season, this time with an investment into women’s soccer. Clark, 22, has joined an ownership group working to bring a National Women’s Soccer League team to Cincinnati, which is one of the finalist cities bidding for a new team to join the league. The final decision will be announced by the end of 2024, according to ESPN.

In a statement to the outlet confirming Clark’s involvement, the NWSL Cincinnati bid team said they are “thrilled that Caitlin Clark has joined our ownership group in pursuit of bringing a women’s professional soccer team to our city.” “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,” the statement continued.

While Cincinnati currently has the leading bid and is considered a favorite for the 16th NWSL franchise, there are other cities also in the running, including Cleveland, Denver, Nashville and Philadelphia, ESPN said. If Cincinnati’s bid is accepted, the team would begin playing games in 2026. The Indiana Fever star has kept herself busy this offseason, between her investment in women’s soccer and with other ventures, like the Annika LPGA tournament, which Clark played in earlier this month.

Before playing at the LPGA event on Wednesday, Nov. 13, the WNBA Rookie of the Year admitted that she was nervous that she would possibly hit someone with a stray ball — which almost happened after a golf ball went into fans as she started off the tournament. “I’m going to hit some good, I’m going to hit some bad,” she said on Tuesday, Nov. 12 ahead of the tournament, per Yahoo! Sports. “Just going to try not to hit anyone standing outside of the ropes. But it’ll be fun.” Clark was also asked about her comments at the end of the Fever’s playoff run that she was going to spend the offseason becoming a pro golfer.

“No, I’ve practiced a little bit and I just had the quote about becoming a professional golfer. Everybody thought I was serious. I was not serious. I love it. I love being outside and making it competitive with my friends,” she said, per the outlet.