Angel City FC — The Club That Became Valuable Before It Became Successful

Jul 13, 2026

Angel City FC — The Club That Became Valuable Before It Became Successful

3 mos ago 14:25

Show notes

Angel City FC, the NWSL and the growth of women’s soccer in Los Angeles are the focus of this episode of Why We Love This Club , exploring how a club became one of the most valuable women’s sports teams in the world before winning a major trophy. Founded by Natalie Portman, Kara Nortman and Julie Uhrman , with early investment from Alexis Ohanian , Angel City launched in 2022 with a star-studded ownership group including Mia Hamm, Serena Williams, Billie Jean King and Abby Wambach . Chris examines how the club built huge crowds at BMO Stadium , developed supporter culture through La Fortaleza , and tied sponsorship revenue directly to community programs. The episode also covers the signing and comeback of Christen Press , Angel City’s first NWSL playoff appearance, the ownership takeover by Willow Bay and Bob Iger , and the club’s rapid rise to a reported $335 million valuation. On the field, Chris looks at Sveindís Jónsdóttir, Maiara Niehues, Sarah Gorden, Ally Sentnor, Sydney Leroux and Claire Emslie , plus Angel City’s rivalry with San Diego Wave and the challenge of turning commercial success into sustained NWSL winning. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you enjoyed this show, you may like these other soccer podcasts by Chris. The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered The Underdog Football Show Thanks for listening!

Underdog Stories

The story behind this episode

All stories

Football history

Why Is Angel City FC So Valuable Without a Trophy?

Why Angel City FC is so valuable: a $2 million entry fee, a sold-out opener and a women's football team run as a real business, trophy or no trophy.

From Why We Love This Club · Jul 13, 2026

More from Why We Love This Club

Wrexham AFC — Saved by the Town, Lifted by Hollywood

Wrexham AFC, Welsh football, supporter ownership, Hollywood investment, and one of the most remarkable revival stories in modern soccer are at the center of the Season 1 finale of Why We Love This Club . Chris Horwedel traces Wrexham’s story from its 1864 founding at the Turf and its deep roots in the town through famous European nights, the 1992 FA Cup upset of Arsenal and decades of financial…

1 wk ago · 17:43

Centro Storico Lebowski — They Sang Anyway

Centro Storico Lebowski, supporter ownership, Italian lower-league football and one of Europe’s most unusual fan-built clubs are at the center of this episode of Why We Love This Club . Chris Horwedel tells the story of a group of teenagers in Florence who went looking for the worst team in the city, arrived late, watched it lose 3–0 and started singing anyway. What began as an almost absurd act…

2 wks ago · 13:04

Al-Wehdat SC — The Club Built from Temporary Housing

Al-Wehdat SC, Jordanian football, Palestinian identity and one of the Middle East’s most powerful community clubs are at the center of this episode of Why We Love This Club . Chris Horwedel traces Al-Wehdat’s story back to 1956, when a football club grew from a youth center inside New Amman Camp, a refugee settlement built for Palestinians displaced from their homes. The club’s name comes from…

2 wks ago · 13:35

Young Africans SC — The Club Built Before Tanzania

Young Africans SC, Tanzanian football, the Kariakoo Derby and one of East Africa’s most important sporting institutions are at the center of this episode of Why We Love This Club . Chris Horwedel traces Yanga’s story back to 1935, when African residents in colonial Dar es Salaam formed a team before Tanzania itself existed. The club’s identity developed alongside the country’s independence…

2 wks ago · 13:36