Expansion draft: Why the National Women’s Soccer League is scoring with private equity

The Carlyle Group and MLS' Seattle Sounders agreed to acquire Megan Rapinoe's former team, the NWSL's Seattle Reign FC, for $58m.

Interest in women’s soccer has been picking up momentum over the last five years – ever since millions of viewers watched the US Women’s National Soccer Team, co-captained by Megan Rapinoe, defeat the Netherlands 2-0 in the televised FIFA Women’s World Cup Final in 2019.

Lately, venture capital and private equity investments have been coming at a rapid pace, with Rapinoe’s former team featuring in a prominent deal earlier this week.