EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Aurora, the largest independent community-owned women's soccer team in the U.S., has announced a new round of selling community shares of the team. The club's unique community ownership model currently has 3,080 owners and this new round will allow people that missed out in 2021 to join ownership.
"We have accomplished more than we ever thought possible in our first three seasons with the initial $1 million," said Aurora Board Chair and Co-Founder Allie Schmidt in a news release. "This new round will allow us to keep growing and giving back to our players, fans and community."
Community ownership shares are $50 each, with a minimum investment of $100 offering exclusive perks for investors. The community owners elect two representatives to the Board of Directors ensuring that the owners' voices are represented.
"We are excited to welcome even more people to our community-owned team. This is the land of 10k lakes? How about the land of 10k owners?" added co-founder Andrea Yoch, in the release. " Minnesota Aurora wants to become the biggest community-owned club in the country. Together we will create even more opportunities for women in sports on and off the field."
Money from the new round of investors will help fund Aurora's year-round team operations, including player housing and camp scholarships, waiving try-out fees if needed, paying U.S. Soccer registration fees as well as game day expenses and continuing to build out the front office.
Founded in 2021, Minnesota Aurora was built by a group of local Minnesotans with the mission of bringing community-driven soccer to the Twin Cities. The club includes Aurora, a pre-professional team playing in the USL-W team, Aurora 2 playing in the UPSL and summer camps for girls. Aurora has been undefeated in the regular season for over three years and has won the Heartland Division all three seasons. Aurora 2 went undefeated in their first season making it to the UPSL playoffs. The team's home field is TCO Stadium in Eagan at Viking Lakes.