The NWSL is creating a star-studded advisory board to guide the 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 Thursday that it has 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, women’s professional football has seen rapid growth. The value of the 14 clubs active during the 2025 season is about $2 billion combined, according to Forbes magazine. The expansion teams of Boston and Denver will begin play in 2026 and are not included in the rankings.

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

The Advisory Board will consist of 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 Major League Soccer club 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 the Seattle Reign.

Also joining the group will be 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).

“When we looked at the investor base of our clubs, we realized how fortunate we are to have such an extraordinary group of cultural icons, athletes and leaders who believe in — and are invested in — the strength and potential of this league,” Berman, one of CNBC’s 2024 Changemakers of the Year, said in a statement.

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

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

Advisory Board members will also collaborate with existing players to provide career advice and mentorship opportunities and will serve as “connectors” by opening the door to brand partnerships, investor interests 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,” Morgan said in a statement. “I’m proud to be a part of helping shape the next chapter for the league and the players and fans who make it all possible.”