Peyton Manning Joins NWSL Ownership Ranks with New Denver Team.
Can you believe it’s been nearly a decade since Peyton Manning retired from the NFL? The Hall of Fame quarterback called it a career in March 2016 after winning his second Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos. But retirement hasn’t exactly meant disappearing.
Since stepping off the field, Manning has remained a national presence—whether starring in commercials for Nationwide and U.S. Bank or building his media empire through Omaha Productions. One of his biggest post-football successes has been the Manningcast—officially known as Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli—which he co-hosts with his brother, Eli. That show’s popularity helped Omaha Productions reach a $750 million valuation earlier this year after selling a 10% stake.
Now, Manning is taking on a new role: professional soccer team owner.
The five-time NFL MVP has joined the ownership group of Denver’s new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team, set to begin play next season. While the team hasn’t yet announced its name or logo, the buzz is already building—especially with a name like Manning attached.
"It’s a real honor to be part of something so meaningful to the Colorado community," Manning said in a statement.
Manning’s connection to Denver runs deep. He spent his final four seasons as quarterback for the Broncos, leading the team to two Super Bowl appearances and winning one before retiring as a champion in 2016.
His financial stake in the NWSL team hasn’t been disclosed, but it’s clear this is a significant investment. The expansion fee for Denver’s franchise was a record-setting $110 million, more than double the $53 million paid by Boston Legacy FC, another expansion club set to debut next year.
Manning joins a high-profile and diverse ownership group. Olympic skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin, Molly and David Coors, Ariel Investments' Project Level, and others are part of the team’s backing. Leading the group is insurance executive Rob Cohen, who has ambitious plans for the club—including building a soccer-specific stadium. If completed, Denver would become only the second NWSL team to have a venue built just for women’s professional soccer.
One person who might be feeling a twinge of sibling rivalry? Eli Manning. He previously held bragging rights as the only Manning with a stake in a professional soccer team. Eli is a minority investor in Gotham FC, the New York-area NWSL team. But even with that sibling competition, it’s safe to assume Peyton will get his brother’s support—though probably not without a few playful jabs when their teams face off.
In all, Peyton Manning’s latest move is another exciting chapter in a remarkable post-NFL career. His involvement not only brings more star power to the NWSL, but also helps shine a brighter spotlight on women’s sports at a time of rapid growth and rising fan interest.
And for Denver fans, it’s one more reason to believe the Mile High City is becoming a true sports powerhouse—on every field.
