Construction on White Stadium in Franklin Park is underway.Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — A proposed change to the National Women's Soccer League schedule could have a dramatic effect on Boston's new professional women's soccer team, Boston Legacy FC, and Boston Public School sports.
The proposed change would shift the start of the NWSL season to late summer/early fall, play throughout the winter, and end in the spring.
The current schedule starts in early spring and runs through the fall.
That schedule allows Boston High School football to play some of its games in the newly refurbished $325 million-dollar White Stadium.
But now there is concern that the new proposed schedule would prevent BPS from playing any of its football games in the new stadium.
Critics contend Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other stadium supporters cited playing high school football games in the new stadium as a way to help approve the plan amid a contentious approval process and lawsuits.
Melissa Hamil is a plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging the public-private partnership over White Stadium. "Now that we find out that this could potentially change the season so that they're playing all the way through the end of the year, that means BPS football will never be allowed to play football in the stadium that was initially built and designed for football use," she said.
The league said the reason for a schedule change is to better align the league with European transfer windows, international breaks, and to avoid breaking for summer tournaments.
The NWSL Players Association said a majority of its players oppose the change because of harsh winter playing conditions, especially for cold-weather teams like Chicago and Boston.
A vote on the schedule is expected by the end of this month.
The NWSL issued this statement: "The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape. No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered, and we are taking input from all key stakeholders."
The City of Boston and Boston Legacy FC issued this joint statement: "In addition to year-round daily access to the facilities for BPS athletics, students, and the wider community, the City and Boston Legacy are committed to hosting end-of-season high school football games at White Stadium regardless of any changes to the league schedule. If the NWSL adopts a schedule change, we will work together to hold football games as envisioned in the lease documents."
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.