KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 02: Nichelle Prince #8 of Kansas City Current celebrates with her teammates after scoring the team’s second goal during the NWSL match between Kansas City Current and San Diego Wave at CPKC Stadium on November 02, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Amy Kontras/NWSL via Getty Images)
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National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner Jessica Berman is harnessing star power to guide the league’s growth.
The NWSL announced Thursday that it has formed an all-star advisory committee 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 in the 2025 season are worth nearly $2 billion in total, according to Forbes. Expansion teams Boston and Denver will begin play in 2026 and were not included in the rankings.
However, the league is considering its next steps after the 2025 season saw a 5% drop in game attendance, according to the Sports Business Journal.
The advisory board will be made up of up to two delegates from each club, including investors, cultural leaders and sporting legends.
The group includes names like former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, co-owner of the league’s Gotham FC; NBA legends Magic Johnson and Grant Hill, co-owners of the Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride, respectively; and baseball great Ken Griffey Jr., an investor in Seattle Reign FC.
Also joining the group will be 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).
“When we looked at 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,” Berman, a 2024 CNBC Changemaker, said in a statement.
Manning said in a statement that he was “honored to serve on this advisory board and help continue to build a league that inspires communities, empowers women and sets the standard for excellence on and off the field.”
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 16: NJ/NY Gotham FC minority owner Eli Manning looks on before a match between the NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Washington Spirit at Red Bull Arena on September 16, 2023 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Tim Nwachukwu | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
The NWSL said the group would appear in league campaigns and content collaborations through interviews and social media.
Advisory board members will also partner with current stakeholders to offer career advice and mentoring opportunities and serve as “connectors” opening the door to brand partnerships, investor interest and cultural integration.
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 07: Alex Morgan speaks during his number 13 jersey retirement ceremony after the NWSL match between San Diego Wave and Houston Dash at Snapdragon Stadium on September 07, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Kevork Djansezian | Getty Images Sports | Getty Images
“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 only as a sport, but as a movement. I’m proud to help shape the next chapter of the league, the players and the fans who make it all possible,” Morgan said in a statement.