Two-time Super Bowl winner Peyton Manning confirmed on June 3 he has joined the ownership group of Denver NWSL.
The former Denver Broncos quarterback will join controlling owner Rob Cohen, and other investors such as Jon-Erik Borgen, Kaia Borgen Mortix, Molly Coors and Mikaela Shiffrin in helping to guide Denver NWSL to its inaugural season in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) next year.
Manning said it was a “real honour” to help and invest in NWSL’s latest football club and is “excited to help build a club” that Denver can support, joining other sports teams in the city which includes the Broncos and Denver Nuggets.
The ownership board stated the core of their strategy is to build a “community-rooted club” for the city to get behind and with Manning’s status as a 2015 Super Bowl champion, the group will hope his presence will garner further support.
“Peyton’s legacy as a champion and a leader is second to none,” said Cohen. “His impact on Colorado sports is unmatched, and we’re incredibly proud to have him as a partner. He brings passion, insight, and deep local roots — all of which will help us shape the future of Denver NWSL.”
Denver NWSL will debut in the 2026 league season and is preparing to break ground on a new state-of-the-art performance center in Centennial, Colorado. The club also unveiled plans for a future stadium district in downtown Denver, which will become the largest investment in women’s team sports infrastructure in history, according to the team.
NWSL growth backed by celebrity support
Manning is not the only high-profile sports personality to have made an investment in a NWSL club, as many sports, music, film and other celebrities have taken an interest in US women’s football over recent years.
One of the shining examples of this celebrity-backed investment push can be seen in Los Angeles at Angel City FC. The club, which was acquired by Disney CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay as controlling shareholders, also has the support of Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Jessica Chastain and Eva Longoria.
According to a recent Forbes article, Angel City FC are the most valuable NWSL team with a valuation of $280m. Denver became the latest expansion team of the NWSL after securing a place in the league after paying $110m.
In the Forbes valuation list, Kansas City Current are the second most valuable team ($275m), Bay FC third ($170m) and San Diego Wave in fourth ($165m).
Other notable NWSL team investors include Patrick Mahomes, James Harden, Kevin Durant, Naomi Osaka, and Chelsea Clinton.
