by Building the Future: The NPSL Explores a Member-Owned League Structure
Founded in 2003, the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) has provided community leaders
and soccer organizations with a platform for building sustainable soccer clubs within the U.S.
Soccer ecosystem.
Communities across the United States have embraced local clubs that reflect
the passion and identity of their hometowns, while players, coaches, referees, and clubs have
used the league as a platform for growth and advancement.
The NPSL believes the responsibility of a national league extends beyond sporting competition.
Today, the NPSL is publicly sharing its vision as the league continues its evaluation of a new
organizational structure designed to strengthen the league, create greater value for its member
clubs, and expand opportunities for commercialization, strategic partnerships, and innovation.
“As the game continues to evolve, we believe it’s important to continually evaluate how the
league can create greater value and opportunity for its member clubs,” NPSL Chairman Steven
A. Wagoner said. “We’re equally committed to conducting this process transparently and
collaboratively, and our member clubs will continue to play a central role in shaping the league’s
future.”
The NPSL currently operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(6) membership organization. The proposal
under evaluation would transition the league to a member-owned structure where the league
member clubs will collectively own the league while continuing to maintain complete ownership
of their individual clubs, brands, intellectual property, local sponsorships, and community
identities.
The proposal also preserves the flexibility to admit a strategic partner of up to ten
percent ownership, provided such a partnership delivers strategic value beyond capital alone
through relationships, expertise, commercial opportunities, or other resources that strengthen the
league.
Across the American soccer landscape, leagues operate under a variety of ownership models.
Some are privately owned, and some include significant outside investors with meaningful
influence over league governance and direction.
Others operate under a franchisor–franchisee
model in which clubs purchase participation rights from the league, while some function as
nonprofit organizations or under the governance of a state or national association.
The model the NPSL is exploring seeks to create something different by aligning the success of
the league with the success of its member clubs.
The proposal builds on the principles that have defined the NPSL for more than twenty years,
preserving independent club ownership, member-driven governance, and operational flexibility
while creating new opportunities to strengthen the league and create greater value for its member
clubs.
The NPSL Board of Directors believes this approach has the potential to enhance
commercialization, foster strategic partnerships, strengthen owner retention, attract experienced
ownership groups, and establish the NPSL as one of the nation’s leading member-owned soccer
platforms.
The league’s membership will continue evaluating the proposal through the next phase of the
review process in anticipation of the 2027 season. That process includes review of a draft
operating agreement prepared by legal counsel, informational meetings, live question-and
answer sessions, and additional opportunities for member feedback before any final decision is
determined.
