Boston’s NWSL Team Apologizes for Club’s Name Announcement
The new National Women’s Soccer League team in Boston didn’t get off on the right foot when they launched, and they’re apologizing for it.
When BOS Nation FC was first announced, there was an included hype video, which has since been taken down. In the video, the theme centered around Boston having “too many balls.”
USA Today transcribed the video’s voiceover, which read, “Old balls, new balls. Steel balls. Cold balls. Even GOAT ball. Yeah, Boston loves its balls, but maybe there’s too many balls. This is our city, our new team, our new nation. BOS Nation… no balls necessary.”
The messaging was met with almost immediate backlash ranging from the launch being just rude and ignorant to being transphobic.
BOS Nation FC issued the following statement in response:
“While we had hoped to create a bold and buzzworthy brand launch campaign, we missed the mark.
We fully acknowledge that the content of the campaign did not reflect the safe and welcoming environment we strive to create for all, and we apologize to the LGBTQ+ community and to the trans community in particular for the hurt we caused.
We are proud to be part of the most inclusive sports league in the world and are committed to upholding the unifying values that define the NWSL and our club. Thank you to all who have held us accountable by calling for us to do better. We hear you and we will, together.”
As previously reported, BOS Nation FC is the 15th expansion club in the NWSL and will begin playing in 2026. The team’s website notes that the name BOS Nation is actually an anagram for “Bostonian,” which is described as, “An identity. A badge of honor. And a title worn proudly by millions across 23 neighborhoods and 48.4 square miles.”
A press release stated the team will wear “Championship Green,” and the accent colors will be “Relentless Raspberry, Loyal Charcoal, Daring Pink, Rise Yellow and Orange Press, which speak to the rich diversity of Boston’s neighborhoods and the team’s values and signal a new era in the city’s sports landscape.”
The ownership group for BOS Nation FC consists of two prominent Massachusetts natives: Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and actress/director Elizabeth Banks.
Banks said in a statement, “I am thrilled to join this female-led ownership group, each of whom has made a remarkable impact in Boston. The inspiring team of investors, along with their mission-driven vision for the stadium, will leave a lasting legacy on future generations of women’s athletes and fans.”