Female ownership of sports teams is not so common, owing to how males have been largely dominant as foundational members. Some women have however decided to test the waters in owning sports teams.
One of such person is Carolyn Kindle Betz who made history when she became the first female majority owner of a Major League Soccer (MLS) team in the United States. Kindle Betz, along with a group of investors, acquired St. Louis City SC in 2019, which became the 29th expansion team to play in the MLS.
Kindle Betz is a member of the Taylor family, which owns Enterprise Holdings, a global car rental company. The family has a deep connection to the city of St. Louis, and Kindle Betz has been a soccer fan for much of her life. She played the sport in high school and has been involved with the St. Louis soccer community for years.
A key member in bringing MLS to St. Louis… Carolyn Kindle Betz. #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/QJVRsWMLLt
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) March 8, 2022
When the opportunity to bring an MLS franchise to St. Louis presented itself, Kindle Betz jumped at it. It was however easy as the Taylor family had been eyeing establishing an MLS team but they were unsuccessful.
Kindle Betz was determined to make it happen and she led the charge in securing the necessary funding, developing a stadium plan, and garnering the necessary community support. She emphasised the importance of building a team that reflects the diversity of the city of St. Louis and creating opportunities for local players.
“Our goal is to make St. Louis SC a team that the city can be proud of, not just on the field but off the field as well,” she said on the MLS website.
St. Louis City SC now officially are off to the best start to an expansion season in MLS history.
No other expansion club have started a perfect 4-0-0 in their first four games. Only the fifth team in MLS (non-shootout) history to start the season with four straight wins. pic.twitter.com/1V8IXPHT0X
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) March 19, 2023
St. Louis City have started their inaugural campaign in brilliant fashion, winning six of their first eight games under the tutelage of South African coach Bradley Carnell, scoring 20 goals which is the highest in the Western Conference. They are top of the conference, one point ahead of Los Angeles FC and are also on top in the overall standings in the race for the Supporters Shield.
There is already talk of St. Louis being potential MLS Cup champions and that would be fascinating for a new franchise in its inaugural season.
Kindle Betz’s ownership of St. Louis City SC along with other female members of the Taylor family; Patty Taylor, Jo Ann Taylor Kindle and Chrissy Taylor, is a significant one not just for the MLS, but for women in sports. Women are underrepresented in ownership positions across all major sports leagues in the world, and Kindle Betz’s success is undoubtedly a step towards greater gender equity in sports.
St. Louis City SC is the only 3-0 MLS team. Team of destiny‼️ #AllForCITY pic.twitter.com/FgMNAWTXxR
— Gateway Grinders (@gatewaygrinders) March 12, 2023
Kindle Betz however asserted her ownership is not because she is a woman but her love for the team and city of St. Louis.
“I’m very proud to be the first female majority owner in Major League Soccer, but it’s not just about being a woman. It’s about being an owner who cares deeply about this team and this city,” she said.
With Kindle Betz’s leadership at St. Louis City SC, the team can become the ideal model for other sports franchises as regards diversity, equity, and community engagement, all of which are of prime importance in making the world a better place to live in.
