NWSL creates star-studded advisory board to guide league’s growth

National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman is tapping into star power to guide the league’s growth.

The NWSL announced on Thursday it’s formed a star-studded advisory board that will meet twice a year to focus on key areas of opportunity related to marketing, branding, fan growth and player initiatives. The group will begin meeting next year.

Since Berman took the helm in 2022, professional women’s soccer has seen rapid growth. The 14 clubs active during the 2025 season are worth nearly $2 billon combined, according to Forbes. Expansion teams in Boston and Denver will begin play in 2026 and weren’t included in the rankings.

However, the league is looking to its next steps to after the 2025 season saw a 5% decline in game attendance, according to Sports Business Journal.

The advisory board will consist of up to two delegates from each club, including investors, cultural leaders and sports legends.

The group includes names like former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, a part owner of the league’s Gotham FC; NBA legends Magic Johnson and Grant Hill, part owners of the Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride, respectively; and baseball great Ken Griffey Jr., an investor in Seattle Reign FC.

The WNBA’s Sabrina Ionescu (representing the Bay FC ownership group) and former soccer stars Alex Morgan (San Diego Wave FC), Brandi Chastain (Bay FC) and Julie Foudy (Angel City FC) will also join the group.

“When we looked across our clubs’ investor base, we realized how fortunate we are to have such an extraordinary group of cultural icons, athletes, and leaders who believe – and have invested – in the power and potential of this league,” said Berman, a 2024 CNBC Changemaker, in a statement.

Manning said in a statement he was “honored to be part of this Advisory Board and to help continue building a league that inspires communities, empowers women, and sets the standard for excellence on and off the field.”

The NWSL said the group will appear in league campaigns and content collaborations through interviews and social media.

The advisory board members will also partner with current players to offer career advice and mentorship opportunities and serve as “connectors” by opening the door for brand partnerships, investor interest and cultural integration.

“What makes this Advisory Board so special is that it brings together people who share our belief in what women’s soccer can be — not just as a sport, but as a movement. I’m proud to be part of helping shape the next chapter for the league, the players, and the fans who make it all possible,” Morgan said in a statement.