After months of uncertainty, the NWSL is officially heading back to Kansas City. With the new ownership group becoming the first majority female-owned team in the league.
According to league commissioner Lisa Baird, the ownership group has obtained all player rights, and draft picks of the Royals as the club comes to an end. While Utah Soccer LLC will retain rights to re-establish the Utah Royals name and franchise in 2023.
For many Kansas fans, this has been a long-awaited return. With many petitioning for the team to return to its ‘birthplace’ since the move to Utah in 2017.
The History
Former team, Kansas City FC, held two league championships in its short existence in 2014 and 2015. But folded in 2017, just one year after being sold to new owners with its assets being sent over to the latest expansion team in Salt Lake City. Fast forward three years, and we are back in Missouri with an impressive group of owners led by Angie and Chris Long and their management Company.
“The league has been transformed by innovative leadership and explosive growth. We are committed to getting this right, for our team and our town. We can’t wait for the players and the country to see what we’ve long known. There’s something special about living in Kansas City and something even more special about playing here.”
– Angie Long
What Do We Know?
News has broken that Huw Williams, who previously served as KC FC’s general manager, will return as head coach. However, much about the team’s future is still in the air.
While fans patiently await the news of the team’s new name and logo; one of the biggest questions is where the team will play. Considering that previously Sporting Kansas FC refused to share its stadium; Children’s Mercy Park with the former NWSL team during its five-year run it is uncertain. But regardless of where the new team finds a home; it is sure to have a tremendous amount of support flowing in heading into its first year. Great news for soccer fans and now the NWSL is officially heading back to Kansas City.
Follow the team at @KcWoso on twitter to keep up with any new updates.
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