The NWSL has approved the sale of the Chicago Red Stars

The NWSL announced today that its Board of Governors have voted unanimously to approve the sale of the Chicago Red Stars to an ownership group led by Laura Ricketts.

The group is set to purchase the team for a total of $60 million from current owner Armin Whisler, ending a state of limbo for the team that had dragged on since the NWSL investigative probe had been announced last year.

In the official statement released by the NWSL, commissioner Jessica Berman had this to say.

“On behalf of the NWSL Board of Governors, we’re thrilled to welcome Laura and the entire new ownership group to our league. These talented and accomplished owners, successful in business, sports, and leaders in the Chicago community, are committed to investing the resources necessary to take the Chicago Red Stars to the next level and enable the NWSL to continue our collective growth. A new chapter for this team begins today.”

The Red Stars have had a less than stellar season, especially considering their previous history of being a perennial playoff team. Losing Mal Swanson earlier this year certainly didn’t help but the lack of a resolution with regards to Arnim Whisler was the more obvious reason for the Red Stars’ lack of form. The Red Stars players had asked for new ownership to come in once it had been revealed how Whisler had supported former head coach Rory Dames, despite the allegations levelled against Dames, and Whisler’s continued presence as the owner of the team was an ongoing concern.

With new ownership set to come in, one ready to invest in the infrastructure of the team as well, hopefully the future of the Red Stars will change and the team will once again be one of the best teams in the NWSL.