CLEVELAND — Michael Murphy is spearheading a "Back the Bid" campaign in order bring a women’s professional soccer team to Cleveland. 

What You Need To Know

  • Cleveland Soccer Group has launched a "Back the Bid" campaign to get a National Women's Soccer League team to come to Cleveland 

  • The National Women’s Soccer League hopes to add a new team in the next few years

  • The league has 15 teams but wants a 16th by the 2026 season

“The goal would be to have the stars of U.S. Soccer, whether it’s Alex Morgan or Trinity Rodman or Sophia Smith, come to Cleveland or be on our team," Murphy said.

He’s the CEO of Cleveland Soccer Group, which has launched a campaign to get the city to put their name in the hat for an expansion team from the National Women’s Soccer League, the premier women’s professional soccer league. The league has 15 teams but wants a 16th by the 2026 season.

“It’s the last top 20 market it the country without professional soccer, and what’s really unique about NWSL in Cleveland is that they would actually be the top soccer brand in town," Murphy said. 

The campaign involves asking for $26, in return for a “Back the Bid” shirt, a digital badge for social media and you’d be in the front of the line for season tickets if Cleveland gets the new team. Murphy said the money is for making and shipping the shirt.

He said the campaign isn't about money, it's about gauging interest from the city on the team.

“We thought the image is iconic," Murphy said. "The hero of these campaigns are the athletes.”

Murphy said Cleveland already had a Major League Soccer developmental team come to town last year. He said this improves the chances of getting a women's soccer team by showing they already had a soccer team here.

If Cleveland won the bid, they'd have the second women's professional sports team in Ohio. The other is the Columbus Fury, a professional women's volleyball team with an inaugural season set for 2024.

Murphy would prefer that the team plays in downtown, since all the other pro sports teams play here, and the logo they drew up has a downtown vibe.

“I feel like that’s where Cleveland sports fans go," Murphy said. "They gravitate downtown."

Murphy said Cleveland made it to the final four the last time they put in a bid for a NWSL team. He hopes that semifinal finish could make the city a top contender this time.