NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman will make a significant soccer announcement on April 21 at 3:30 p.m. in Columbus. The announcement can be watched live on the Columbus Dispatch's YouTube page.
Key points
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman to make an announcement
Announcement scheduled for April 21 at 3:30 p.m.
Livestream available on Columbus Dispatch's YouTube page
Announcement linked to funding for women's soccer team
Event taking place in Columbus
Mentioned in this story
NWSLJessica BermanColumbus
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman is set to make a "major soccer announcement" at 3:30 p.m. April 21 in Columbus, per a release.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Sol Tsonis signs a banner for the NWSL to Columbus movement as supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, BRutus Buckeye and NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Brutus Buckeye plays soccer with kids as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, BRutus Buckeye and NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Q&A
What time is the NWSL commissioner's announcement in Columbus?
The announcement is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on April 21.
Where can I watch the NWSL announcement live?
You can watch the announcement livestream on the Columbus Dispatch's YouTube page.
Who is making the major soccer announcement in Columbus?
The announcement will be made by NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman.
What is the significance of the NWSL announcement in Columbus?
The announcement is related to public funding for a women's professional soccer team in Columbus.
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Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, NWSL supporters and local sports mascots rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, NWSL supporters and local sports mascots rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Charlotte Fening, 10, interacts with Brutus Buckeye as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther speaks to media as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther holds up a shirt that reads "Columbus loves women's sports" as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther interacts with kids and local sports mascots as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther takes a photo with kids and local sports mascots as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Brutus Buckeye plays soccer as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther speaks with NWSL supporters during a rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Columbus Crew President of Business Operations Mary Shepro arrives at for a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
City Council President Shannon Hardin speaks during a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
City of Columbus Director of Development Michael Stevens speaks during a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Supporters of a professional women's soccer team listen during a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
City of Columbus auditor Megan Kilgore speaks during a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
Columbus City Council holds a hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
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NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Sol Tsonis signs a banner for the NWSL to Columbus movement as supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
1 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Sol Tsonis signs a banner for the NWSL to Columbus movement as supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
2 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, BRutus Buckeye and NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
3 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Brutus Buckeye plays soccer with kids as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
4 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, BRutus Buckeye and NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
5 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, NWSL supporters and local sports mascots rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
6 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, NWSL supporters and local sports mascots rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
7 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Charlotte Fening, 10, interacts with Brutus Buckeye as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
8 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther speaks to media as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
9 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther holds up a shirt that reads "Columbus loves women's sports" as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
10 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther interacts with kids and local sports mascots as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
11 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther takes a photo with kids and local sports mascots as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
12 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Brutus Buckeye plays soccer as NWSL supporters rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
13 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Prior to a Columbus City Council hearing about public funding for a women's professional soccer team, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther speaks with NWSL supporters during a rally outside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
14 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Columbus Crew President of Business Operations Mary Shepro arrives at for a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
15 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
City Council President Shannon Hardin speaks during a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
16 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
City of Columbus Director of Development Michael Stevens speaks during a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
17 / 19
NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Supporters of a professional women's soccer team listen during a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
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NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
City of Columbus auditor Megan Kilgore speaks during a City Council hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
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NWSL effort holds rally at Columbus City Hall ahead of public hearing
Columbus City Council holds a hearing about the public cost of bringing an NWSL team to Columbus inside Columbus City Hall on April 6, 2026.
The presser will also include Haslam Sports Group managing partner Whitney Haslam Johnson, Columbus mayor Andrew Ginther, City Council president Shannon Hardin, Franklin County Commissioner Erica Crawley, Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker and Crew investor Dr. Christine Edwards.
Crew majority owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam, who also own the Cleveland Browns, have spearheaded the bid to bringĀ an NWSL franchiseĀ to Columbus.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman is set to make a "major soccer announcement" at 3:30 p.m. April 21.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman is set to make a "major soccer announcement" at 3:30 p.m. April 21.
Earlier today, the ownership group took a step toward possibly securing the team whenĀ the Franklin County CommissionersĀ agreed to contribute $25 million to help build the team's training facility.
Nov 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; National Womenās Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman answers a question during a press conference ahead of the 2024 NWSL Championship match between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium.
Nov 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; National Womenās Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman answers a question during a press conference ahead of the 2024 NWSL Championship match between the Orlando Pride and the Washington Spirit at CPKC Stadium.
Columbus would become the 18th city with an NWSL franchise if the bid is selected. Like the league's 17th addition, Atlanta, a Columbus team's games would start in 2028. Arthur Blank's AMB Sports & Entertainment paid $165 million for Atlanta's expansion fee.
