Peyton Manning Joins Ownership Group for Denver’s Expansion NWSL Team.

Denver, CO — June 3, 2025 — In a move that cements the momentum of women’s professional sports, NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning has officially joined the ownership group of Denver’s expansion franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Manning, who capped off his illustrious career by winning Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos in 2016, brings star power, leadership credentials, and a deep Colorado connection to the Mile High City’s burgeoning soccer ambitions.

The announcement, made via Denver NWSL’s official channels on June 3, 2025, also confirmed plans for a 2026 debut, a temporary stadium for early seasons, and an eventual permanent home to be constructed downtown by 2028.

🏟️ A Vision in the Mile High City

Denver was awarded the NWSL’s 16th franchise in January 2025, paying a record‑breaking $110 million expansion fee—more than double the fee for the most recent franchise in Boston. At the helm is Rob Cohen, CEO of IMA Financial Group, positioning the franchise as the city’s first professional women’s sports team since the Colorado Xplosion folded in 1998.

Denmark’s temporary stadium in Centennial will seat about 12,000 fans for the 2026 and 2027 NWSL seasons, with unique sustainability in mind: it’ll convert to a 4,000‑seat facility for Cherry Creek school athletics after the team relocates to its downtown venue. From 2028 onward, the team plans to play in a purpose‐built 14,500‑seat stadium in Denver’s Santa Fe Yards—an investment nearly $70 million from the city, marking the largest public commitment ever to a U.S. women’s pro sports entity.

🌟 Player‑Owner Power: Athletic Magic Meets Strategic Backing

Peyton Manning joins a high‑caliber ownership group that includes elite athletes and highly respected business leaders. These include:

Mikaela Shiffrin: Olympic gold medal alpine skier.
Mellody Hobson: Co‑CEO of Ariel Investments and minority owner in the Denver Broncos.
Molly Coors: Member of the Coors brewing family.
Business executives from investment groups like Cordillera, FirstTracks, Soin Family, and more.

Their goal: to “build the most inclusive, community‑rooted club in professional soccer,” combining athletic excellence with strategic business and marketing savvy.

🧩 Manning’s Motivation: “A Real Honor…”

Manning’s statement explained his pride in supporting “the growth of women’s sports” and building something that “our city and our state can rally behind. His association with Colorado began in 2012 at the twilight of his career; after leading the Broncos to Super Bowl glory, he retired in 2016, leaving an indelible mark both on the team and in the hearts of the community.

Rob Cohen noted Manning “brings passion, insight, and deep local roots,” underlining how his legacy and leadership align with the franchise’s mission.

👥 Athletic Ownership: A Growing Trend

Manning’s addition keeps pace with a trend of former and current pro athletes investing in women’s soccer:

Patrick Mahomes owns Kansas City Current and is part of Sporting Kansas City MLS.
Eli Manning (Peyton’s brother) is a minority owner of NJ/NY Gotham FC
Others include J.J. Watt (Burnley), Tom Brady (Birmingham City), Russell Wilson (Seattle Sounders), Lindsey Vonn (Utah Royals), Marshawn Lynch (Oakland Roots), Yannick Ngakoue (Loudoun United), Tim Tebow (Sporting Jacksonville), etc.

Manning’s move enhances this trend, signaling growing confidence among athletes in the future and viability of women’s sports investments

📺 Media Savvy and Beyond

Post‑retirement, Manning launched Omaha Productions, creator of the Emmy‑nominated “ManningCast”—the alternate “Monday Night Football” telecast with Peyton and Eli on ESPN

. His media acumen is an asset: the ownership can capitalize on video content, storytelling, and multiplatform marketing to grow the club and engage fans.

Eli Manning’s Gotham FC involvement reinforces the Manning family’s collective investment in women’s soccer, giving pedigree and broader reach to the endeavor

Community Impact & Legacy

Denver NWSL aims to:

Establish Colorado’s first pro women’s sports team since the ’90s.
Involve local and minority voices—multiple community‑based investors are included.
Offer shared public and private investment to build accessible facilities.
Promote youth programs tied to stadium, training, and development.

The temporary stadium at Centennial will double as community sports infrastructure post‑2027, supporting local youth teams in Cherry Creek . Public funding of up to $70 million for the permanent venue also reflects Denver’s commitment to women’s sports

🏁 What’s Ahead: 2026 Debut, 2028 Stadium

Milestones lined up:

2026: First NWSL season in a 12,000‑seat Centennial temporary venue
Late 2027: Planning and construction phases for the downtown Santa Fe Yards stadium to be finalized.
2028: Opening of the permanent 14,500‑seat, soccer‑only stadium—one of only two such venues in the NWSL

Already, over 10,000 season‑ticket deposits sold at record pace indicate strong local enthusiasm

🧠 Expert Takeaway

Sports-business integration: Manning’s combination of athletic reputation and media influence will be crucial for branding, fan engagement, and sponsor outreach.
Local vs national appeal: His Colorado ties amplify local identity, while national recognition elevates the club’s footprint beyond state lines.
Trend reinforcement: Continued athlete-owned investment in women’s sports reflects growing confidence in the commercial and cultural rise of women’s pro leagues.
Sustainable infrastructure: The dual‑use model (temporary→ permanent) is financially savvy and community-driven.

🔚 Closing Thoughts

Peyton Manning’s jump into ownership with Denver NWSL is more than a celebrity headline—it’s a catalyst for broader change. It intertwines elite-level investment, strategic media involvement, and community infrastructure to elevate women’s soccer in Colorado. It follows a wave of athlete-backed franchises, signaling a shift in how men’s professional athletes invest their influence and wealth—empowering women’s sports at every level, from youth outreach to stadium ownership.

With the stage now set for 2026, stakeholders—fans, sponsors, media—will be watching how this front-office powerhouse translates into on-field success, sustainable fan growth, and continued cultural impact across Colorado and the NWSL.