April 21 (Reuters) - The ⁠National Women's Soccer League announced on Tuesday that ⁠it had awarded an expansion franchise to Columbus, ‌Ohio, which will bring the league to 18 clubs when the team joins the competition in 2028.

The ownership group is led ​by Haslam Sports Group, whose portfolio ⁠includes ownership of the ⁠National Football League's Cleveland Browns and operating rights to ⁠Major ‌League Soccer’s Columbus Crew.