Angel City FC celebrates five years, growth and rising impact in women’s sports
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Mar 03, 2026, 05:30 IST
Angel City FC celebrates five years, growth and rising impact in women’s sports
Angel City FC celebrated its fifth anniversary as one of the National Women’s Soccer League’s most valuable franchises, now worth $250 million, highlighting the rapid growth of women’s sports. Founded by Natalie Portman alongside Kara Nortman and Julie Uhrman, the Los Angeles club was built to operate as a serious business while delivering an engaging fan experience. Strong community support led to 16,000 season ticket sales in its inaugural season and vibrant matchday atmospheres. The team commits 10 percent of sponsorship revenue to local causes, contributing nearly $8 million to community programs. Journalist Willow Bay and Bob Iger later became controlling owners, emphasizing long-term investment, upgraded facilities and enhanced player support. While facing on-field challenges, including Savy King’s health scare, the club continues developing new talent. Though still seeking its first championship, Angel City has reshaped perceptions of women’s sports through financial success, fan loyalty and sustained ambition.
Angel City FC marked five years with proof that women’s sports can be big, loud and successful. What started as a simple idea for a women’s soccer team in Los Angeles has turned into one of the most valuable teams in the National Women’s Soccer League. The club is now valued at $250 million, but the real story is the fans who fill the stadium every week.
At home games in Los Angeles, the energy feels different. Families show up in black and Sol Rosa. Supporters drum and chant from kickoff to the final whistle. It feels more like a festival than just a match. That strong fan base helped the team sell 16,000 season tickets in its first season and prove that people will pay to watch women’s sports.
The club was first imagined by actress Natalie Portman, who wanted a professional women’s team in LA. She joined forces with investor Kara Nortman and entrepreneur Julie Uhrman. At that time, many people believed women’s sports could not make money. There was no clear example to follow. Still, they decided the team would run like a real business, not a charity.
Uhrman said, “We wanted to build an experience that we wanted to go to.” That idea shaped everything from game day shows to community work. The club gives 10 percent of its sponsorship money back to the community. So far, that has added up to nearly $8 million. The money has helped provide millions of meals and free soccer programs for kids.
Later, journalist Willow Bay and her husband Bob Iger became controlling owners. Bay believed women’s sports were entering a new era. She focused on long-term growth and stability. The team also invested in a new practice facility and improved support for players, including family-friendly spaces.
On the field, the club has faced challenges. Defender Savy King suffered a heart attack during a match but later returned to the team. Veteran defender Sarah Gorden spoke about how far the league has come, especially in player support and salaries. New signings and young talents like Riley Tiernan and Gisele Thompson show the club is building for the future.
Nortman said, “We built Angel City to drive women’s sports forward.” The team has not yet won a championship, but that is clearly the next goal. With strong ownership, loyal fans and serious investment, Angel City has already changed how people see women’s sports.
Now there is only one thing left to do. Win a title for Los Angeles and keep winning.
At home games in Los Angeles, the energy feels different. Families show up in black and Sol Rosa. Supporters drum and chant from kickoff to the final whistle. It feels more like a festival than just a match. That strong fan base helped the team sell 16,000 season tickets in its first season and prove that people will pay to watch women’s sports.
The club was first imagined by actress Natalie Portman, who wanted a professional women’s team in LA. She joined forces with investor Kara Nortman and entrepreneur Julie Uhrman. At that time, many people believed women’s sports could not make money. There was no clear example to follow. Still, they decided the team would run like a real business, not a charity.
Uhrman said, “We wanted to build an experience that we wanted to go to.” That idea shaped everything from game day shows to community work. The club gives 10 percent of its sponsorship money back to the community. So far, that has added up to nearly $8 million. The money has helped provide millions of meals and free soccer programs for kids.
Later, journalist Willow Bay and her husband Bob Iger became controlling owners. Bay believed women’s sports were entering a new era. She focused on long-term growth and stability. The team also invested in a new practice facility and improved support for players, including family-friendly spaces.
On the field, the club has faced challenges. Defender Savy King suffered a heart attack during a match but later returned to the team. Veteran defender Sarah Gorden spoke about how far the league has come, especially in player support and salaries. New signings and young talents like Riley Tiernan and Gisele Thompson show the club is building for the future.
Nortman said, “We built Angel City to drive women’s sports forward.” The team has not yet won a championship, but that is clearly the next goal. With strong ownership, loyal fans and serious investment, Angel City has already changed how people see women’s sports.
Now there is only one thing left to do. Win a title for Los Angeles and keep winning.