It is impossible to ignore the parallels between expansion in the NWSL and MLS. The NWSL's rising valuations, growing demand and increased emphasis on building new facilities look like the MLS playbook on repeat.
NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman, however, has recently focused on another league as her comparative benchmark: the NFL.
Berman has said multiple times in various settings that she believes the NWSL, which will expand to 16 teams next year, can support 30 to 32 franchises like the NFL. The comparison has raised a few eyebrows and several basic questions: Is the idea genuine, or a moonshot meant to generate buzz?