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.

About the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)

Founded in 2003, the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is the Tier 1 men’s national league of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), serving more than 200,000 players within the U.S. Soccer ecosystem.

Please visit https://www.npsl.com/expansion for more information about the NPSL, the league’s strategic initiatives, and expansion opportunities.