NWSL Boston Focusing On Community
NWSL Boston Focusing On Community
There’s room for all of us
The year 2026 will be huge for soccer in New England. Boston will be returning to the National Women’s Soccer League, for the first time since the Boston Breakers ceased operations in 2018.
The new franchise, whose official name, badge, and colors are yet to be revealed, is led by an all-women ownership group. The Controlling Partner is Jennifer Epstein, a lifelong Bostonian and sports fan. Epstein is joined by Managing Partners Stephanie Connaughton, Ami Kuan Danoff, Anna Palmer, and the Boston Unity Soccer Partners. In their letter to Boston, the ownership group wrote:
“Sports teams at their heart are community-owned organizations and it’s our responsibility with the launch of our team to bring to our city of champions, not only another championship-caliber team but a team embedded in the fabric of our global and diverse city. Our team needs to represent you, and we will do that by investing in our players, our facilities, and our communities so that your experience as a fan is everything you want it to be, so that our team is yours.
It’s time we write the story of a new sports legacy about the greatest female athletes and the greatest sports fans. We play here, in Boston, we play to win and we play to make us all proud.”
Epstein recently participated in the State of Soccer in Massachusetts panel at the Boston Globe Summit 2024, along with New England Revolution President Brian Bello and the President of FIFA World Cup Boston 2026, Mike Loynd. The panel was hosted by Hayden Bird.
When asked by Bird about bringing a professional women’s team to Boston, Epstein started by talking about the importance of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The United States hosted and won the tournament, with the iconic moment from Brandi Chastain helping to inspire female athletes across the country and changing the way we viewed women’s sports. Epstein went on to say that 2026 will be the year, “we bring women’s professional soccer back to our city of champions.”
When the ownership group was thinking about bringing a team to Boston, they wanted to make an impact not only on game days, but 365 days a year. They decided to revitalize White Stadium, a cherished community asset in Franklin Park. White Stadium, deep in the heart of Boston surrounded by the neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester, was opened in 1949 for the Boston Public Schools.
Boston Public Schools will continue to have access to White Stadium after the renovation; in fact, programming hours for the students will more than triple and community access will greatly expand. This public/private partnership is the first of its kind for a professional sports team.
Epstein emphasized the importance of the relationship, mentorship, and synergy with Boston’s youth. When asked by Bird about their plans for youth development, Epstein said that the academy and youth development is, “very much top of mind.” The ownership group was invited by Bilello to the Revolution training facility, where they were able to tour the facility and discuss the academy. Epstein went on to say they are currently evaluating sites to build a training facility in addition to their plan for revitalizing White Stadium.
Whatever ends up happening with the academy and training center, Epstein doubled down on the impact their club will make with Boston youth.
“Either way, again the synergy between our players and the students of the Boston Public Schools - since we are sharing a home pitch, no matter what our academy plans are, we will make sure that we have mentorship and internship programs for the students, and really build that relationship for years to come,” she said.
It will be less than 2 years until NWSL Boston kicks off their inaugural season. The plans Epstein and the ownership group have for the team are exciting. They clearly understand the significance of bringing a professional women’s soccer team to Boston and value being part of the community.
NWSL Boston recently announced their first local artist collection, by Amanda 陳 Beard Garcia of Likemind Design. “Amanda’s exclusive merch design reflects not just the spirit of our team, but the heart of Boston itself.”
When asked what professional women’s sports means to her, Beard Garcia replied, “There’s room for all of us. NWSL Boston and professional women’s sports means that women are finally getting the recognition we deserve! It’s about time to feel centered and celebrated.”
With the ambitions of the ownership group and integration into the Boston community, the sky is the limit for NWSL Boston.