{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6818801871c041c8cc75b143/69173635e42e3466f229e9d9?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"What it means for Atlanta to be the next NWSL expansion team","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6818801871c041c8cc75b143/1763128072690-7a477360-69e5-4b33-b590-c0707bf20198.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>The <strong>NWSL</strong> is coming to <strong>Atlanta</strong>. Following <strong>The Athletic's Asli Pelit's</strong> report on Sunday, on Tuesday, it was officially announced that the capital of Georgia will be home to<strong> the 17th NWSL team in 2028. </strong></p><p><br></p><p>So, on this week's <strong>Full Time Focus</strong>, host <strong>Jillian Sakovits</strong> gets into what it means for <strong>Atlanta</strong> to join the <strong>NWSL</strong>. Jill talks to Pelit about breaking the story and the business side of Atlanta's record-breaking bid, as well as the major investment promises made by the ownership. Then, Jill is joined by <strong>Atlanta</strong> soccer radio host and <strong>ATL United </strong>announcer <strong>Jason Longshore </strong>to dig further into what the expansion news means to the community and the rich women's soccer history that already connects the <strong>USWNT </strong>and professional women's soccer to Atlanta.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>PLUS:</strong> Jill and Producer Theo break down the key things to watch for this weekend's <strong>NWSL Playoff Semifinals </strong>and give their picks on who will make the Championship Final in San Jose. Who will advance from the <strong>Washington Spirit vs. Portland Thorns</strong>, and the <strong>Orlando Pride vs. Gotham FC</strong>? </p><p>_______________</p><p>HOST: Jillian Sakovits</p><p>GUESTS: Asli Peli, Jason Longshore</p><p>PRODUCER: Theo Lloyd-Hughes</p><p>VIDEO PRODUCER: Lia Griffin</p><p>EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Emily Olsen</p><p>_______________</p><p><strong>Referenced on the show:</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6799873/2025/11/11/atlanta-nwsl-expansion-mercedes-benz-stadium/?source=bsky_hq\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Atlanta’s NWSL team will debut in 2028, play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6792758/2025/11/09/atlanta-nwsl-expansion-arthur-blank/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Atlanta lands NWSL expansion franchise backed by Arthur Blank for record $165 million: Sources</a></p><p>_______________</p><p>Get in touch:&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:fulltime@theathletic.com\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠</a></p><p>Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime</p><p>Subscribe to our <strong>Youtube</strong> channel: <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticfulltime\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></p><p>Subscribe to the <strong>Full Time newsletter </strong><a href=\"https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/newsletters/full-time/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠⁠here⁠⁠</a></p><p>Visit the <strong>Yahoo Women's Sports hub</strong> <a href=\"https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">⁠⁠here</a></p>","author_name":"The Athletic"}