City of Boston Enters Deal with NWSL Franchise for Stadium

Deal News | Apr 29, 2025 | Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP

City of Boston Enters Deal with NWSL Franchise for Stadium

On December 23, 2024, the City of Boston alongside Boston Public Schools entered into a crucial deal with a new Boston franchise in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). The agreement involves a lease and usage pact for the redevelopment of White Stadium, creating a shared space for both Boston Public Schools' athletic programs and the NWSL team. Upon completion, this historic venue will become the first stadium in the U.S. to serve simultaneously as a facility for public school athletics and a professional sports team, offering facilities for the NWSL team to host up to 20 games per season. The redevelopment is set to adhere to an ambitious timeline, with the team aimed at playing in the newly developed stadium by the 2026 NWSL season. Legal advisory for the deal was provided by Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, with notable contributions from Brett Jackson and Benjamin Unger.

Sectors

  • Sports and Entertainment
  • Education
  • Legal Services
  • Public Infrastructure

Geography

  • United States – The event takes place in Boston, MA, involving American institutions and a U.S.-based soccer league.
  • Massachusetts – Boston, Massachusetts is the primary location for the stadium redevelopment and the involved parties.
  • Boston – The City of Boston and Boston Public Schools are the primary local entities involved in the agreement.

Industry

  • Sports and Entertainment – The article discusses the National Women's Soccer League franchise and its involvement in redeveloping a stadium for joint use.
  • Education – The redevelopment of White Stadium also serves the athletics department of Boston Public Schools, highlighting the intersection with the education sector.
  • Legal Services – Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP's role as legal advisors in the deal represents the legal industry's involvement.
  • Public Infrastructure – The article involves the redevelopment of a public stadium, impacting community infrastructure.

Financials

    Participants

    NameRoleTypeDescription
    City of BostonAgreement PartyGovernmentLocal government entity involved in the stadium redevelopment deal.
    Boston Public SchoolsAgreement PartyGovernmentPublic education institution involved in the usage of the stadium.
    Boston NWSL FranchiseNew FranchiseCompanyA new team in the National Women's Soccer League that will share White Stadium.
    Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLPLegal AdvisorCompanyLaw firm providing legal assistance for the agreement.
    Brett JacksonLead LawyerPersonLead lawyer from WilmerHale for the City of Boston and Boston Public Schools.
    Benjamin UngerLead LawyerPersonLead lawyer from WilmerHale for the City of Boston and Boston Public Schools.