Linda Henry, the Boston Globe’s chief executive, has backed out of her ownership stake in the NWSL’s expansion team in Boston.
The announcement, which Henry shared to her Instagram story on Friday, comes as the team pushes toward its inaugural season in 2026. The divestment process remains pending, with Henry informing the team of her plans to exit their group two months ago.
“In December, I officially notified the Boston NWSL team that I would be exiting the investor group,” Henry said on Friday, as reported by the Boston Globe. “We are working together and expect to complete the process soon, and I will then just be a Boston fan, not part of the BosNation team in any way.
“As an ardent supporter of women’s sports, I happily joined as a limited, passive investor when the group was forming. I remain very excited about the growth and future of women’s sports in Boston and beyond.”
Henry is the CEO of Boston Globe Media, whose portfolio includes the Boston Globe. She co-owns the media company with her husband, John Henry, who is also the principal owner of Fenway Sports Group, which has controlling stakes in the Boston Red Sox, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Liverpool FC in the English Premier League.
The financial terms of Henry’s investment in the expansion team were never disclosed. Henry was considered a minority, non-controlling investor in the club.
The ownership group is led by an all-female group that includes Boston Celtics minority owner Jennifer Epstein, Stephanie Connaughton, Ami Danoff and Anna Palmer. The club also has a pair of celebrity investors in actress Elizabeth Banks and Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman.
In a statement, the Boston NWSL team thanked Henry for her early interest in the club.
“We want to thank Linda for her early investment into bringing professional women’s soccer back to Boston,” the statement read. “Our ownership group continues to grow and we’re excited about what’s to come as we kick off in 2026.”
The expansion club has faced a string of setbacks as it inches toward its inaugural season. The team faced backlash in October over its controversial ad campaign launching the club’s brand identity, BOS Nation, and soon after said it is considering a name change. In a few weeks, the team is due in court to answer a citizens’ lawsuit aimed at preventing the year-round commercial use of the historic White Stadium, where the team plans to play in 2026.
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