Celebrities, ex-USWNT stars team up to launch Los Angeles NWSL side

Hollywood stars and former members of the United States Women's National Team are among those who have formed an ownership group set to bring an NWSL club to Los Angeles in 2022.

The team, which has yet to select a name, was announced Tuesday, according to Reuters.

Venture capitalists Alexis Ohanian and Kara Nortman and entrepreneur Julie Uhrman lead a group that also includes actresses Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Garner, and Eva Longoria. Ohanian's wife, tennis star Serena Williams, is also part of the ownership party.

Among the 14 former USWNT standouts associated with the expansion franchise are Mia Hamm, Lauren Holiday, Julie Foudy, and Abby Wambach.

"Today we take an exciting step by announcing the first women majority-owned and led ownership group," Portman said in a statement on behalf of the group, which is sporting the "Angel City" moniker.

"I am thrilled by the opportunity to partner with this incredible group of people to bring a professional women’s soccer team to Los Angeles," she added.

The franchise will become the 11th NWSL side following the introduction of Racing Louisville in 2021.

"The growth trajectory of the NWSL is incredibly exciting, but we also need to be strategic and thoughtful about how fast we expand and the communities we partner with," said NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird.

"We’ve long sought the right partner in L.A. considering the NWSL fan base that already exists in the region and the massive interest in women’s soccer in general," she continued.