What it means for Atlanta to be the next NWSL expansion team
Full Time: A show about women's soccer
The Athletic
4.8 • 756 Ratings
🗓️ 14 November 2025
⏱️ 40 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The NWSL is coming to Atlanta. Following The Athletic's Asli Pelit's report on Sunday, on Tuesday, it was officially announced that the capital of Georgia will be home to the 17th NWSL team in 2028.
So, on this week's Full Time Focus, host Jillian Sakovits gets into what it means for Atlanta to join the NWSL. Jill talks to Pelit about breaking the story and the business side of Atlanta's record-breaking bid, as well as the major investment promises made by the ownership. Then, Jill is joined by Atlanta soccer radio host and ATL United announcer Jason Longshore to dig further into what the expansion news means to the community and the rich women's soccer history that already connects the USWNT and professional women's soccer to Atlanta.
PLUS: Jill and Producer Theo break down the key things to watch for this weekend's NWSL Playoff Semifinals and give their picks on who will make the Championship Final in San Jose. Who will advance from the Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns, and the Orlando Pride vs. Gotham FC?
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HOST: Jillian Sakovits
GUESTS: Asli Peli, Jason Longshore
PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes
VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen
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Referenced on the show:
Atlanta’s NWSL team will debut in 2028, play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Atlanta lands NWSL expansion franchise backed by Arthur Blank for record $165 million: Sources
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Today marks another tremendous milestone for our city, for our state, and for the sport of soccer in America. |
| 0:13.1 | It's an honor to officially announce Atlanta has been awarded National Women's Soccer League club number 17. |
| 0:22.4 | And that'll match our 17s. |
| 0:25.2 | The theme of this event reflects my deep belief, empower her inspire all. |
| 0:32.4 | I was raised by a determined woman whose strength, fire, and resilience shaped every part of who I am today. |
| 0:41.3 | My mother taught me that true power is found in perseverance and the courage to chase your dreams, |
| 0:50.3 | even when the path ahead is uncertain. |
| 0:59.8 | Hello, everybody. |
| 1:00.9 | It's Julian Sackovich. |
| 1:04.1 | A very warm welcome to Friday's full-time focus. |
| 1:06.4 | And if it wasn't a copyright issue, |
| 1:09.9 | I'd say we need some outcast to be entering this episode today because we are going to be talking |
| 1:11.0 | all things Atlanta. |
| 1:12.8 | We have the athletics very own Oslapelot on who broke the story over the weekend ahead of |
| 1:17.3 | Tuesday's announcement and Mr. Georgia soccer himself, who knows the ins and out of everything |
| 1:23.3 | happening in the game in the state of Georgia. |
| 1:25.6 | Jason Longshore. |
| 1:27.2 | But these two, we're going to be talking about what to expect from an Arthur Blank-owned |
| 1:31.1 | NWSL team. |
| 1:32.6 | How it can change the league? |
| 1:34.0 | Who could be next in this expansion story? |
| 1:36.6 | Ah, we've got a pair of NWSL semifinals to get you all set for. |
... |
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