Sarah Spain reflects on her time with the Red Stars

Photo provided by Sarah Spain

It’s a new season with new ownership and a fresh outlook in the Second City. However, as the Chicago Red Stars begin the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League campaign, the challenges that plagued the organization a year ago are never too far away.  

Last month, The Equalizer was able to sit down with former Red Stars minority owner Sarah Spain while she was in Vancouver for an event. The 43-year-old broadcaster joined the Red Stars ownership group on March 1, 2021, along with a star-studded lineup that included U.S. Olympic gold medal hockey player, Kendall Coyne Schofield, among others. Spain’s time with the Red Stars was rocky, to say the least. 

Spain left the Red Stars on Sept. 1, 2023, when the new Laura Ricketts-led group of investors bought the club for a figure valued at $60 million. 

As an ESPN personality, Spain has never been shy about expressing her opinion, standing up for what she believes in, and calling out bad behavior when sees it. In her first lengthy sit-down interview since her departure, Spain talks about what went wrong, why it didn’t work out, what she would do differently, and much more. 

Editor’s Note: Some answers edited lightly for length and clarity.