Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning joins the ownership group of the Denver NWSL expansion franchise, which will start playing next year.

Manning, who has won five NFL MVP and two Super Bowl titles, spent his final four seasons with the Denver Broncos, retired in 2016 shortly after leading the team to the Super Bowl title.

“It is a real honor to be part of something so meaningful in the Colorado community,” Manning said in a statement. “I am proud to support the development of the women’s movement and excited to build a club that our city and our state can gather.”

Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He has many league records, including a single season pass and touchdown.

His five league MVP awards are also records. Manning was elected to the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 2021.

“Peton’s legacy as a champion and leader is second to none,” said Denver NWSL control owner Rob Cohen in a statement. “His impact on Colorado Sports is unparalleled and we are extremely proud of him as a partner. He brings passion, insight and deep local roots – all of which will help us shape the future of Denver NWSL.”

Since retirement, Manning has entered the media and production field. “Monday Night Football (his brother and former NFL quarterback Manning) aired on ESPN and won several sports Emmy Awards.

Eli Manning is one of the few investors in Gotham Football Club.

The Denver NWSL also recently announced two-time Olympic champion Alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin as part of its ownership group.

Cohen is a Colorado-based insurance executive who leads the ownership group. Other investors include Ariel Investments’ program-level project-level led by President and co-CEO Mellody Hobson, and Molly Coors, who once owned the Colorado Rockies in Major League Baseball (MLB).

Jon-Arik Borgen, Kaia Borgen Moritz, Neelima Joshi, Dhiren Jhaver are also investors in the series.

The Denver NWSL team has not yet launched its name and club brand, and will begin next year at a temporary stadium south of Denver, a centennial in Colorado.

The 12,000-seat venue will be surrounded by the fleet's training center. The ownership group of Cohen and Denver previously announced plans to build a 14,500-seat stadium in Denver, which is scheduled to open in 2028.

The stadium will be just the second venue specifically built for the NWSL team.

Cohen & Co., Ltd. received the 2026 NWSL expansion franchise in December, charging $110 million in fees – more than double the expansion fees recently paid.

Boston Legacy FC was previously accepted as NWSL for a $53 million expansion fee and will also start playing in 2026.