#1, 2025 ::: NWSL in Denver, SI's Innovator of the Year, Kings World Cup, Betting, and more.

TOP-3 HIGHLIGHTS?

1) WELCOME TO DENVER + SI’S 2024 INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

Denver has been awarded the NWSL's 16th franchise for a record expansion fee of US$110 million. The reported fee is more than double the previous NWSL record for new teams and the largest expansion fee ever paid in US women’s sports. The expansion bid is purportedly being led by IMA Financial Group chief executive Robert Cohen , who would serve as the team’s controlling owner, and includes former NWSL player Jordan Angeli . Other investors are also reportedly still coming on board, with the group planning to build a soccer-specific stadium for the team which will play in a temporary venue until a permanent home is ready. NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman confirmed in November that Denver, Cincinnati and Cleveland were all in the running for the league’s 16th franchise spot. Nashville and Philadelphia had also been in contention.

Speaking of Mrs.Berman, she has just been recognized as?Sports Illustrated’s 2024 Innovator of the Year. The commissioner has steered the league to record growth?with continued expansion, a landmark media deal and new highs in attendance and viewership. That has allowed for an enormous shift in some foundational ideals. The NWSL announced a CBA with the NWSLPA this summer that did something unheard of in American professional sports: It eliminated the player draft and created full, unrestricted free agency. That has been key in building trust and enthusiasm among players in a league where both had long been in question. Check out the full story on SI here.

2) NEW KINGS ON THE BLOCK?

Kings League , the international 7 a-side?competition launched by Spanish legend Gerard Piqué Bernabéu and his Kosmos company, has secured over 20 media partners and several major sponsors for its new Kings World Cup of Nations tournament that began in Italy on January 1st and will be held through January 12. The Kings World Cup of Nations features 16 national teams, including Brazil, Italy, Turkey, and Spain and??involves several global legends such as Kaká, Neymar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sergio Agüero, Francesco Totti, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Alessandro Del Piero, and Iker Casillas.? The inaugural competition has broadcast and platform partners in more than 60 countries worldwide and will also feature on the competition's official channels on social networks.?Several high-profile brands have also signed up for the tournament, including McDonald’s, Red Bull, Spotify, Air Asia, Adidas, Iren, and Floki. To fuel its global growth, Kings League hired Djamel Agaoua from the NBA as its new chief executive.

3) CONCABETTING

CONCACAF has launched an invitation process for interested parties to submit offers to become the?official betting partner?of the confederation’s main men’s and women’s competitions, from 2025 to 2028. The selected company will become the first-ever official betting partner for football’s governing body for North America, Central America and the Caribbean and will gain brand visibility during the period leading up to – and after – the?World Cup in 2026, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

Other relevant business news

UK

American businessman?John Textor?has shaken up the multi-club market these past few days. First, he?offered a group from the United States and Saudi Arabia exclusivity to purchase Eagle Football’s 45% stake in EPL's Crystal Palace. A couple of days later,?Sportsbank, a sports investment group advised by the former Everton director and experienced football financier Keith Harris, entered a period of exclusivity to invest in Eagle Football, which would not mean buying out Eagle’s stake in Palace. Confused? Then check out the NYT's recap?here?and hopefully it'll make more sense.?

GERMANY?

Germany's DFB governing body has brought in the Marc O’Polo Scandinavian clothing brand as a new commercial partner, whilst also extending its sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola.

CHINA

Guangzhou FC, China’s most successful football club, has disbanded. The eight-time Chinese Super League winners failed to meet entry requirements for the 2025 season due to heavy debts.

SAUDI ARABIA?

Saudi Arabia has secured hosting rights to another national teams football event, and is now set to put on the next edition of theGulf Cup in 2026.

RUSSIA?

Russian sports broadcaster Match TV has snapped up exclusive rights to men's 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Gazprom Media-owned network will be the sole Russian broadcaster for the 48-team tournament -- the broadcaster is set to show the event despite - at the time of writing - Russia being barred from taking part.

About SOCCER FC

Soccer FC is a free weekly (sometimes bi-weekly) newsletter that I write as a hobby, where I summarize the most interesting news I've read throughout the week about the business of Global Football and US Soccer. I'm not the one writing any of the articles I'm referencing here, therefore everything is properly linked to its original sources, making sure we all give credit and value its original writers. Have fun!