Denver Summit women’s soccer team to play home opener at Empower Field at Mile High next year – CBS News

Report on the Inaugural Season of Denver Summit FC and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Denver Summit FC, the newest franchise in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has announced its inaugural home match will be held at Empower Field at Mile High in March. This report analyzes the club’s launch and infrastructure plans through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting its contributions to gender equality, economic growth, sustainable infrastructure, and community well-being.

Contribution to Gender Equality and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 5 & SDG 10)

The establishment of Denver Summit FC is a significant advancement for gender equality in professional sports, providing a high-profile platform for female athletes and leaders.

• Empowerment of Women: The franchise creates elite professional opportunities for female athletes, directly addressing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by promoting women’s full and effective participation in public life.
• Diverse Leadership: The ownership group includes influential women such as Olympian Mikaela Shiffrin, Mellody Hobson, and Molly Coors, showcasing female leadership in sports business and investment.
• Reducing Inequality: By elevating women’s soccer, the club actively works to reduce inequalities (SDG 10) within the traditionally male-dominated sports industry.

Fostering Sustainable Infrastructure and Economic Growth (SDG 9 & SDG 8)

The club’s long-term infrastructure plan is a major investment in the local community, poised to deliver sustainable economic benefits.

1. Initial Phase: The team will utilize existing city infrastructure by playing at Empower Field at Mile High, demonstrating efficient resource use.
2. Transitional Phase: A temporary stadium is planned to bridge the gap until the permanent venue is complete.
3. Permanent Infrastructure Project: The development of a new 14,500-seat stadium, slated for a 2028 opening, represents a significant investment in industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9). This project will create decent work and stimulate local economic growth (SDG 8) through construction and long-term operational employment.

Promoting Community Well-being and Partnerships (SDG 3, SDG 11 & SDG 17)

Denver Summit FC’s integration into the city’s fabric supports community health and is built upon strong local partnerships.

• Health and Well-being (SDG 3): The team serves as an inspiration for active lifestyles and promotes good health and well-being through community engagement and the visibility of elite athletes.
• Sustainable Communities (SDG 11): The club enhances the cultural and social vibrancy of Denver, contributing to an inclusive and resilient urban community. Hosting the inaugural match at an iconic city venue strengthens community identity.
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): The collaboration with the Denver Broncos organization, as articulated by its President Damani Leech, exemplifies a powerful multi-stakeholder partnership. The diverse ownership group, including figures like Peyton Manning, further underscores a collective commitment to achieving these goals.

Conclusion

The launch of Denver Summit FC represents more than an expansion of a sports league; it is a strategic initiative aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals. Through its commitment to gender equality, investment in sustainable infrastructure, and focus on community partnerships, the club is positioned to make a lasting positive impact on Denver and the broader sports landscape.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article focuses on the establishment of a new team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). This directly supports the empowerment of women in sports, a field where they have historically faced inequality. The article also highlights female leadership and ownership, with Jen Millet as the Club President and prominent women like Mikaela Shiffrin, Mellody Hobson, and Molly Coors in the ownership group.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The creation of a new professional sports team, the Denver Summit FC, contributes to local economic growth. It generates employment opportunities for players, coaching staff, and administrative personnel. The construction of a new stadium will also create jobs in the construction sector and related industries, fostering economic activity in Denver.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article explicitly mentions plans for significant infrastructure development. It states that “Denver NWSL announced plans for a new 14,500-seat stadium near Interstate 25 and Broadway that’s expected to open in 2028.” This represents a major investment in building resilient and quality infrastructure to support economic and social activities.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The development of a new stadium is a form of urban development that can enhance community life. A sports venue serves as a public space for recreation and social gathering, contributing to the cultural fabric of the city. By providing a dedicated venue for women’s sports, it helps create more inclusive and accessible public spaces within the urban environment of Denver.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership in political, economic and public life.

   The article supports this target by showcasing women in key leadership and decision-making roles. The appointment of Jen Millet as Club President and the inclusion of women like Mikaela Shiffrin, Mellody Hobson, and Molly Coors as owners and investors demonstrate increased female participation and leadership in the economic and public sphere of professional sports.

2. Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.

   The formation of the Denver Summit FC creates new, professional employment opportunities specifically for female athletes, contributing to productive employment for women in a high-profile industry.

3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.

   The plan to build a “new 14,500-seat stadium” is a direct example of developing quality infrastructure. This facility is designed to support the economic activity of the soccer club and provide a venue for community engagement, thereby supporting both economic development and human well-being.

4. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…

   The new stadium will function as a significant public space for the Denver community. As the home of a women’s soccer team, it inherently promotes inclusivity by providing a dedicated, high-profile space for women’s sports, making it an accessible and inclusive venue for fans and the community at large.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 5.5 (related to Indicator 5.5.2: Proportion of women in managerial positions):

  The article provides a direct measure for this by naming Jen Millet as the Club President. The number of women in high-level positions (president, owners) within the club serves as a clear indicator of female leadership in the sports industry.

• Indicator for Target 8.5:

  An implied indicator is the number of new jobs created for female athletes, coaches, and staff by the establishment of the Denver Summit FC. While the exact number is not given, the creation of an entire professional team roster and its supporting staff is a tangible measure of employment generation.

• Indicator for Target 9.1:

  A specific indicator mentioned in the article is the investment in and construction of new infrastructure, quantified by the “new 14,500-seat stadium.” The capacity and completion of this project are measurable indicators of progress in infrastructure development.

• Indicator for Target 11.7:

  The creation of a new public assembly venue (the stadium) dedicated to women’s sports is an indicator of progress towards providing inclusive public spaces. Its capacity (14,500 seats) can be used as a metric for the scale of this new community space.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cbsnews.com