Kate Leinbaugh

In 2020, the Longs bought an NWSL team in Utah and relocated it to Kansas City. And they wanted to go beyond that shoestring business model. They wanted to make a big investment, to do something no other women's professional sports team had done before, build their team its own stadium. But first, they needed a bank to finance it. How did that go?

In 2020, the Longs bought an NWSL team in Utah and relocated it to Kansas City. And they wanted to go beyond that shoestring business model. They wanted to make a big investment, to do something no other women's professional sports team had done before, build their team its own stadium. But first, they needed a bank to finance it. How did that go?

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The new Kansas City Stadium opened last March. It cost $140 million and has an 11,500-seat capacity. which is about half the size of a men's soccer stadium in the U.S.

The new Kansas City Stadium opened last March. It cost $140 million and has an 11,500-seat capacity. which is about half the size of a men's soccer stadium in the U.S.

The new Kansas City Stadium opened last March. It cost $140 million and has an 11,500-seat capacity. which is about half the size of a men's soccer stadium in the U.S.

In the first year, the stadium sold out and there are plans to expand it. But the Longs said they didn't turn a profit. Investment in the NWSL has been growing. In 2022, businesswoman Michelle Kang paid a record-breaking $35 million for the Washington Spirit. And then, two years later, Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife paid $50 million for a controlling stake in L.A.

In the first year, the stadium sold out and there are plans to expand it. But the Longs said they didn't turn a profit. Investment in the NWSL has been growing. In 2022, businesswoman Michelle Kang paid a record-breaking $35 million for the Washington Spirit. And then, two years later, Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife paid $50 million for a controlling stake in L.A.

In the first year, the stadium sold out and there are plans to expand it. But the Longs said they didn't turn a profit. Investment in the NWSL has been growing. In 2022, businesswoman Michelle Kang paid a record-breaking $35 million for the Washington Spirit. And then, two years later, Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife paid $50 million for a controlling stake in L.A.

's team that valued the franchise at a new record of $250 million. So we're talking about investment into these teams and a move from renter teams to owner teams. Alongside that, are we seeing greater spectator interest in women's soccer?

's team that valued the franchise at a new record of $250 million. So we're talking about investment into these teams and a move from renter teams to owner teams. Alongside that, are we seeing greater spectator interest in women's soccer?

's team that valued the franchise at a new record of $250 million. So we're talking about investment into these teams and a move from renter teams to owner teams. Alongside that, are we seeing greater spectator interest in women's soccer?

And so last year, when the NWSL opened bidding for a new team, the competition was fierce. What that competition looked like is after the break. When the NWSL opened up bidding for a new team, more than a dozen cities submitted bids. Just three made it to the final round. There was Cleveland.

And so last year, when the NWSL opened bidding for a new team, the competition was fierce. What that competition looked like is after the break. When the NWSL opened up bidding for a new team, more than a dozen cities submitted bids. Just three made it to the final round. There was Cleveland.

And so last year, when the NWSL opened bidding for a new team, the competition was fierce. What that competition looked like is after the break. When the NWSL opened up bidding for a new team, more than a dozen cities submitted bids. Just three made it to the final round. There was Cleveland.

There was Cincinnati. But the excitement around this situation here in Cincinnati is palpable. And there was Denver.

There was Cincinnati. But the excitement around this situation here in Cincinnati is palpable. And there was Denver.

There was Cincinnati. But the excitement around this situation here in Cincinnati is palpable. And there was Denver.