Denver City Council Backs NWSL Stadium Project

The Denver City Council has approved a plan to spend 50 million dollars to help the ownership group of the National Women’s Soccer League expansion franchise, Denver Summit FC, build a new stadium.

The vote clears the way for majority owner Rob Cohen to move forward with a 14,500 seat stadium and a surrounding entertainment district. The project will be located in an area known as Santa Fe Yards.

Cohen said his ownership group will commit 300 million dollars to the overall development. The stadium alone is expected to cost between 150 and 200 million dollars.

The Santa Fe Yards Development Plan

The 14 acre site sits roughly five miles south of downtown Denver. The project includes a 3.5 acre public park and a mixed use development featuring retail and entertainment space.

The city plans to spend 50 million dollars on land acquisition and infrastructure improvements in the surrounding area. An additional 20 million dollars will be allocated for parks, trails, and a nearby bridge.

City leaders believe the project will stimulate economic development in a previously underutilized section of Denver. Supporters also point to the growing popularity of women’s sports as a reason to invest now.

Early Delays and a Relocation Warning

Approval did not come without tension. The city council initially delayed the vote, raising concerns about public spending and long term returns.

During the delay, Cohen warned that he would consider locations outside Denver if the deal stalled. That message appeared to resonate.

With the approval now finalized, both sides say the project is back on track. Construction timelines have not been publicly announced.

A Long Road for Women’s Professional Soccer

In January, the NWSL awarded its 16th franchise to the Denver market. The team will begin play in 2026.

The decision comes after decades of instability in professional women’s soccer in the United States. Following the United States Women’s National Team’s victory in the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, optimism was high.

That optimism led to the launch of the Women’s United Soccer Association in 2001. The league featured star players and strong media backing from ESPN, Turner Sports, and PAX Net.

Despite that support, the WUSA failed to attract consistent crowds or television audiences. It folded in 2003.

Women’s Professional Soccer launched in 2009 but shut down three years later. The NWSL began play in 2013 and has faced its own challenges.

Why Denver Matters for the NWSL

The Denver project represents more than a new team. It signals growing confidence in the business of women’s sports.

A purpose built stadium and entertainment district give the league stability it has often lacked. For the NWSL, Denver could become a model for future expansion.

For the city, the gamble is clear. The hope is that this time, the foundation is strong enough to last.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Gayle Benson Shuts Down Sale Talk in New Orleans

Gayle Benson has made her position unmistakably clear. The owner of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans has no intention of selling either franchise. At 78 years old, and approaching her 79th birthday, Benson dismissed persistent rumors with blunt language.

“The teams are not for sale,” Benson said. She emphasized the point repeatedly and expressed frustration with constant inquiries. Benson said she remains healthy and active, and sees no reason to entertain discussions about ownership changes. She also addressed relocation rumors, telling fans and officials to calm down. According to Benson, both teams remain firmly rooted in New Orleans.

A Long-Term Plan for the Community

Benson did outline one future scenario. When she eventually passes, both franchises will be sold to the highest bidder. She stated clearly that 100 percent of those proceeds will be used to benefit the New Orleans community. That commitment reinforces her long-standing civic approach, even as speculation continues around the future of professional sports in the city.

For now, however, Benson remains in full control. Her focus is not on selling. It is on infrastructure, particularly for basketball.

Saints Stable, Pelicans Arena Not

The Saints’ home situation is secure. The State of Louisiana has renovated the Superdome multiple times, with the most recent upgrades just completed. The building remains one of the NFL’s signature venues.

The Pelicans’ situation is far more complicated. The team plays in a 26-year-old, state-owned arena that Benson believes no longer meets NBA standards. While the building survived Hurricane Katrina in good condition and underwent renovations in 2014, those improvements did not solve deeper structural issues.

Structural and Financial Challenges

A state assessment identified numerous high and medium priority concerns. The arena needs new seating and upgraded lighting. It also lacks a modern center-hung scoreboard and contemporary video screens. Concession areas require significant upgrades as well.

There are also design limitations. The lower bowl configuration restricts premium seating revenue. The overall footprint of the building limits modernization options. Those constraints hurt a franchise operating in one of the league’s smallest markets.

A Market Reality Problem

The Pelicans face challenges beyond the building. New Orleans is a small television market with limited corporate support. Ownership resources are not vast. That makes venue quality even more critical to financial stability.

Historically, Louisiana has sometimes paid franchise ownership to ensure the team stayed in the city. That history underscores the fragile economics involved. Benson needs a viable, modern basketball arena to keep the Pelicans competitive and sustainable.

The Bottom Line

Gayle Benson is not selling. The Saints are secure. The Pelicans, however, need a solution. Until a new or significantly upgraded arena becomes reality, pressure will remain on both ownership and the state to act.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Mesa Joins the Stadium-Village Trend

The calendar year 2026 is picking up right where 2025 ended. Another city is going to create an entertainment district with the hope of building a stadium-village. The goal is to attract a Major League Soccer franchise, a National Women’s Soccer League team, or both. The latest municipality is Mesa, Arizona, which is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Mesa is the spring training home of the Major League Baseball Chicago Cubs franchise and John Fisher’s Athletics franchise. Mesa also hosts an Arizona Fall League development team.

The Palo District Proposal

The Mesa City Council has approved the formation of the Palo District at a location where an abandoned mall is located. The district will feature restaurants, retail, lodging, offices, residences, and a “multi-use stadium that could include soccer.” The proposal promises to be an economic catalyst bringing jobs to the area. That is the standard line about these types of proposals.

“The Phoenix metropolitan area is a great place for it, and we’re able and willing to court them,” Mayor Mark Freeman said. “MLS, women’s soccer and there could be other sports venues as well.”

Quick Approval, Bigger Challenges

It took the Mesa city council about 12 minutes to approve the creation of the district. No Mesa residents attended the meeting. That was the easy part. Now comes the real work. Finding money to build the stadium-village, finding an owner, and then finding a league that wants to put a soccer team in Mesa.

There is no indication that Major League Soccer wants to expand in the near future. The league has been keeping an eye on developments in Indianapolis, where elected officials also want to build a stadium-village. The NWSL probably would have an interest in placing a team in the Phoenix area if a stadium becomes available.

Politicians Bet on Stadium-Villages

Politicians are falling in love with soccer-stadium villages. This is despite the fact there is no evidence they are an economic generator. The concept remains appealing as a way to bring sports, development, and jobs to cities. Mesa now joins the growing list of municipalities attempting to leverage this strategy for professional soccer.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com