Spanish soccer giants FC Barcelona are in talks to have a team in North America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
The La Liga champions hope to enter the new franchise as early as next year, making them the only club from outside the US to have a team in the top-tier women’s soccer league.
“We are planning to open a franchise in the US, a Barcelona franchise in the American league,” said Javier Sobrino, Barcelona's strategy and knowledge director, speaking at a conference in Qatar. “We are right now in discussion to see whether it is possible or not.
“It will be immediate, next season is our goal, if not the following one. A women's team playing in the US.”
The US franchise is expected to keep Barcelona’s name and is likely to play its home games in Los Angeles. The addition of the Spanish outfit would bring the number of teams in the NWSL up to ten, with the league hoping to have 14 franchises by 2020.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu first publicised the club’s intent to have a NWSL team in 2016 as a way of boosting the team’s profile in North America. The plans were approved by Barcelona’s board with a goal of introducing the team as early as 2018 but the launch date was later pushed back.
The news comes at a time when Barcelona look likely to participate in the first ever La Liga game to be played in the US as part of a deal between the league and Relevent Sports, a sports and entertainment company backed by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. The first game of the 15-year agreement is expected to see Barcelona take on Girona in Miami in January next year.
Spanish soccer giants FC Barcelona are in talks to have a team in North America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
The La Liga champions hope to enter the new franchise as early as next year, making them the only club from outside the US to have a team in the top-tier women’s soccer league.
“We are planning to open a franchise in the US, a Barcelona franchise in the American league,” said Javier Sobrino, Barcelona's strategy and knowledge director, speaking at a conference in Qatar. “We are right now in discussion to see whether it is possible or not.
“It will be immediate, next season is our goal, if not the following one. A women's team playing in the US.”
The US franchise is expected to keep Barcelona’s name and is likely to play its home games in Los Angeles. The addition of the Spanish outfit would bring the number of teams in the NWSL up to ten, with the league hoping to have 14 franchises by 2020.
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu first publicised the club’s intent to have a NWSL team in 2016 as a way of boosting the team’s profile in North America. The plans were approved by Barcelona’s board with a goal of introducing the team as early as 2018 but the launch date was later pushed back.
The news comes at a time when Barcelona look likely to participate in the first ever La Liga game to be played in the US as part of a deal between the league and Relevent Sports, a sports and entertainment company backed by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross. The first game of the 15-year agreement is expected to see Barcelona take on Girona in Miami in January next year.
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