LISTEN: GPB's Amanda Andrews reports on a major professional sports announcement at the Empower Her event.
Hundreds braved the cold Atlanta weather Tuesday night to celebrate women and girls’ contributions to sports at the Empower Her event in Midtown. The event was hosted by AMB Sports and Entertainment group, which announced Atlanta would be getting another professional sports team.
National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman shared the news that Atlanta has been awarded an expansion team. The city will host the league’s 17th team at Mercedes-Benz Stadium starting in 2028.
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said this could make a difference for a generation of girls growing up in the city.
"They will now get to watch female athletes chase their dreams on the pitch right here in the ATL," he said. "So somewhere in Atlanta right now could be the world's next great soccer star who will come of age knowing she can train here, play here, and win right here in Atlanta."
Elizabeth Nilson is a senior soccer player at North Atlanta High School. She said it’s exciting to see more local support for women’s sports.
"This growing NSWL team is just going to be so amazing not only for the city, but for all of the young women out there," she said. "I have been playing soccer for the majority of my life and I'm just so excited to see the growth that it has.”
The event also highlighted growth in other girls’ sports like flag football. Since 2018, with support from the Blank Foundation, the sport has grown from 19 schools to 300 programs across the state.
The theme of the event was "Empower her. Inspire all." Blank said that was inspired by his personal beliefs.
"I was raised by a determined woman whose strength, fire, and resilience shaped every part of who I am today," Blank said. "My mother taught me that true power is found in perseverance and the courage to chase your dreams, even when the path ahead is uncertain."
AMB Sports and Entertainment group will build a $165 million training ground and headquarters for the team.
North Atlanta High School senior Julia Promoff said she’s inspired by the backing of city leaders like Blank and Dickens.
"The fact that they want to come here to support women in sports, particularly in soccer, is beyond exciting," she said. "I'm a big Atlanta United fan, so I really can't wait to see what these incredible women are going to do and bring to the pitch. I cannot wait."
The expansion is the latest example of the rapid growth of professional soccer in the metro Atlanta area, starting with the addition of Atlanta United to Major League Soccer in 2017. The United States Soccer Federation is in the process of relocating its headquarters to Fayetteville, just south of Atlanta.
The NWSL is still working with AMB Sports and Entertainment to develop a club name and colors with input from Atlanta soccer fans. There is no set timeline for that process to be completed.
