Lethbridge on potential list for WFA expansion

By Lethbridge Herald on June 16, 2025.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

A women’s tackle football league that is considered worldwide to be  the most highly competitive and the  longest running is expanding to Canada.

Ontario-based Cosmos Sports and Entertainment has come into a partnership with Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) to bring teams to Canada.

There are currently 12 teams in the USA that play in the professional division and another 43 that play at either a Division 2 or 3 level.

“We connected with Terry Smith,” said Cary Kaplan, Cosmos Sports and Entertainment president.

“Terry is a part owner of the WFA and he also bought a baseball team in Brantford, Ont., and that was where we got into discussions about that it’s hard to believe the WFA hasn’t moved to Canada.”

Some prairie cities are potentially on the radar for expansion.

“There are obvious markets to us, and Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge and Red Deer are all obvious markets in Alberta to look for owners,” said Kaplan.

“The step will be where are the right owners who wanna champion this and what markets do they want to be in. So, that’s the big next step.”

Kaplan explained a little more why Lethbridge is on the list.

” It’s football country to us in Canada,” said Kaplan.

“Lethbridge is a very healthy size for a team. I mean it’s a growing league; there’s no advantage to be in Toronto or Vancouver over being in Lethbridge or Red Deer.”

The hope is to have a WFA Canadian division begin play next spring.

Cosmos is going to gauge an interest level within the next 90 days.

Cosmos hopes that the Canadian teams will be in the top pro division with the likes of Houston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington.

“I have previously worked with Cary Kaplan and everyone at Cosmos to build successful professional sport franchises together, and they are the very best,” said Smith in a press release.

“Cary and Cosmos are the leading Sports Marketing and Entertainment Company in all of Canada, and at the WFA we are very excited to be partnering together again with them to expand our Women’s Football Alliance throughout Canada to create a full international North American League.”

“The WFA has spent over 15 years building the strongest foundation in women’s

tackle football, and our franchise model is designed to support long-term success for owners and communities alike,” said Lisa King, Commissioner of the Women’s Football

Alliance in a press release.

“We’re proud to partner with Cosmos Sports and Entertainment to expand our footprint and bring new ownership groups into a league that’s growing rapidly in visibility, investment, and impact.”

Interested ownership inquiries can be directed to wfa@cosmossports.com.

More information on the WFA can be found at www. wfaprofootball.com.