The first official gathering of BOS Nation FC, Boston’s newly named NWSL team, took place in downtown Boston Tuesday night at Dick’s House of Sport.
And while the name — BOS Nation Football Club — has not generated love at first hearing based on the take of many, including social media, the approximately 500 people in attendance were in a very welcoming mood for the return of the NWSL to Boston beginning in the spring of 2026.
“Today, we are kicking off a name, but it’s really much more than that, this is about a legacy that is starting from the very beginning,” said Mayor Michelle Wu, whose city is partnering with the club in renovating White Stadium in Franklin Park and sharing the facility with Boston Public Schools. “As we continue to be a city where revolution and innovation define every single day, we look forward to adding another championship team to our mix here, and I just want to thank again all those from BOS Nation and all those who have made this moment possible.
“We are going to have a beautiful facility, a beautiful stadium, a beautiful community here to welcome the team and really make sure that we are taking all that Boston has to offer and put it on the world stage.”
Former Boston College and New England Revolution player Charlie Davies lauded the potential BOS Nation will have on young people in the city.
“There’s so many things that sports can do for kids, it’s only positive,” said Davies. " I could not be more proud to stand here tonight [in front of] all of you and say that BOS Nation is going to change the lives of so many kids in the future.”
Food vendors from assorted Boston venues, including J.P. Licks, Comfort Kitchen and Mike’s Pastry, offered samples.
Jennifer Epstein, controlling manager of the ownership group, and Stephanie Connaughton, another owner who spearheaded the branding effort, fielded questions about the name and the “Too Many Balls” campaign.
“Since we announced this team, however, many months ago, over a year ago, there has been a lot of enthusiasm and excitement in the city of Boston about the fact that women’s professional soccer is coming back to our city,” said Epstein about what feedback has been like. “We’re thrilled about that passion, we’re thrilled about that excitement, and we’re thrilled about the ongoing engagement from our old fans and our new fans. We thought a lot about this and we’re looking forward to continuing the conversation.”
Asked about a current NWSL player who objected to the “balls” campaign and said that it felt transphobic to them, Epstein expressed an openness to assuaging their concerns.
“The whole intent behind the brand was to be inclusionary, and so we take that very seriously,” said Epstein. “I would look forward to talking to that player and thinking through how and why this made them feel that way.”
One fan, Judith Gibson-Okunieff, 28, of Jamaica Plain feels “lukewarm” about the name of the team.
But certainly not the team itself.
“As a fan of the old NWSL team, I’m over the moon to have this back in Boston, and I am just so excited for all the younger kids who are going to grow up with a professional soccer team in the city,” said Gibson-Okunieff.
Henry Stewart, 9, and his sister Amelia, 12, of Wayland seconded that.
“I’m glad that we have a women’s team now because I feel like women’s soccer is kind of overlooked a little bit and that men’s soccer is so much more important, I guess,” said Amelia Stewart. “Women’s soccer is really fun and I really like it so I’m glad we have a team now.”
Said Henry: “It’s good, there will be a great spirit and everyone will be cheering after a game, saying ‘We won.’”
The team’s brand unveiling also drew reactions from other pro sports teams in the city, and in particular from the Boston Fleet, previously known as PWHL Boston.
Fleet captain Hilary Knight tweeted on Wednesday night: “Hey @NWSLBoston can we be friends?”
Hey @NWSLBoston can we be friends?
— Hilary Knight (@HilaryKnight) October 16, 2024
Investors in Boston’s new pro sports franchise include actress Elizabeth Banks and former Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, who hails from Needham.
Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com.