The greatest alpine skier of all time is stepping onto the soccer field, as an owner. Colorado’s own Mikaela Shiffrin is joining the ownership group of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Denver expansion team, the team announced Tuesday.
With 101 World Cup victories, two Olympic gold medals and eight world championship titles, Shiffrin is widely considered the most decorated alpine skier in history. Born and raised in Vail, she started competing on the World Cup circuit at age 16.
Shiffrin is the only athlete to win all six of the World Cup disciplines: slalom, giant slalom, super-G, downhill, combination and parallel combination. In 2023, she won the annual ESPN award as the best athlete in women’s sports and was one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People.
The skier joins an ownership group led by Rob Cohen, CEO of Denver’s IMA Financial Group, and Ariel Investments Co-CEO Melody Hobson through Project Level — Ariel’s fund dedicated to investment in women’s sports. The Colorado Sun asked NWSL Denver what percentage of the team Shiffrin would own. They declined to provide the information.
“The sport culture in Colorado is rich and deep, and — most notably — the growth of women’s sports is one of the most exciting movements in our culture today,” Shiffrin said in a statement. “To be part of it, and to help bring professional women’s soccer to Colorado, is not only an incredible investment opportunity — but it is both an honor and a joy.”
Denver was announced as the 16th NWSL team in January. Their $110 million expansion fee is the most expensive in U.S. women’s sports history. Since then, the team has been rapidly preparing for its 2026 season debut. In April, the team announced Jen Millet as its first president. Millet has served as chief operating officer of Bay FC and previously worked for the Golden State Warriors, StubHub and Pandora.
In April, the team surpassed 10,000 season ticket deposits. They are partnering with the Cherry Creek School District to build a temporary venue in Centennial for their first two seasons. A 20,000-square-foot, purpose-built training facility will also be located on the same property.
The ownership group and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston are asking the City Council to approve $70 million in public funding to help build a stadium at Interstate 25 and Broadway at the Sante Fe Yards. The total cost would range from $150 million-$200 million and be built by the team.
That request passed its first hurdle late last month, but has not yet reached the full council. If the money is not approved, Cohen has hinted that the team might leave Denver.