On Sept. 3, 2008 it was announced that a Bay Area investor group had joined Women's Professional Soccer and would operate a team that would play in the League's 2009 Inaugural Season.

The Investor Group

The Bay Area investor group is led by Brian and Nancy NeSmith. The President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Coat Systems, Brian NeSmith leads the company in its mission to provide organizations with total visibility and control of all Web communications. NeSmith has strategically guided Blue Coat Systems, formerly known as CacheFlow, into the number one proxy appliance position worldwide.  Previously, he co-founded and was CEO of Ipsilon Networks, which was purchased by Nokia in 1997.  He and his wife, Nancy – the first female WPS majority owner – have two soccer-playing daughters.

The Bay Area's Soccer History

The Bay Area has a rich soccer history as the WUSA’s CyberRays called the region home from 2001-2003, winning that league’s inaugural championship in 2001.  In addition, the San Jose Earthquakes have played a major role in Major League Soccer, winning two MLS Cup titles, and were also a member of the North American Soccer League from 1974 to 1984.  Santa Clara, Cal-Berkeley and Stanford’s renowned collegiate women’s soccer programs are also based in the Bay Area.