No Update on Caitlin Clark’s Retirement Plan as Opposition’s $110 Million NWSL Fee Gets the Green Light
Caitlin Clark’s journey from hardwood hero to business visionary is already unfolding.But like a buzzer-beater stuck on the rim, some plans are still up in the air. While the Denver bid for an NWSL expansion franchise sails through at a record $110 million fee, Clark’s Cincinnati group finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. With dreams as expansive as her three-point range, Clark’s post-basketball plans highlight her ambition to leave a legacy beyond the court.
According to a post on X by Sportico, “BREAKING: Denver has secured the @NWSL’s 16th franchise, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. The $110 expansion million fee is the biggest expansion fee ever paid in U.S. women’s sports.”
Denver’s bid, led by IMA Financial Group CEO Robert Cohen, boasts a robust $150 million stadium project and deep-pocketed investors. It’s a tough act to follow for Clark and her Cincinnati team, which relies on the existing TQL Stadium as its main asset. While FC Cincinnati’s group, featuring CC as a key figure, aims to carve out a spot in the league, the Denver bid’s approval shows just how steep the competition has become.
Although she’s just wrapped up her stellar rookie season with the Indiana Fever, Clark is already thinking long-term. Speaking to TIME earlier this year, she shared, “I love basketball, and hopefully, once [playing] basketball ends, I can still find things that I’m really passionate about and can do. I’ll hopefully be an owner of a sports team one day.”
It’s not just talk. Clark’s interest in sports ownership reflects a growing trend among athletes to invest in women’s sports as the market surges. “The price is only going up,” she noted, acknowledging the rising valuations of NWSL teams, with clubs like Angel City FC valued at $250 million.
Her Cincinnati bid is proof she’s not waiting until retirement to dive into the business world. But as Denver locks in its spot with an eye-popping $110 million fee, Clark’s path is anything but a fast break.
A Dream Beyond the Game for Caitlin Clark
Clark’s entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond soccer. On a recent podcast with former Iowa teammates Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall, she shared another dream: owning a restaurant. Laughing, she recalled, “I grew up, and there was always this random open lot, and I always told my mom I was going to open this restaurant called The Rib Shack. Or wait—it was Rib Crib!”
via Imago
Though a retirement home replaced that childhood dream, Clark hasn’t let go of the idea entirely. “Hopefully, one day, maybe I’ll have a coffee shop or a restaurant, just as a fun thing once I’m done playing,” she said.
The Denver deal sets a new standard for NWSL expansion, with its record-breaking fee and plans for a soccer-specific stadium. The league’s growing value—up 57% from the prior year—signals a promising future. For Clark, it’s both an opportunity and a challenge.
Her Cincinnati bid represents more than a business venture; it’s a step toward redefining women’s sports ownership. As she navigates this arena, her rookie season lessons—resilience, strategy, and confidence—will undoubtedly come into play.
For now, Caitlin Clark’s retirement plan remains a work in progress. But if her current trajectory is any indication, she’ll be just as dominant off the court as she is on it.
