Denver Summit FC’s CommonSpirit Performance Center

ABOUT THIS ENTRY

Denver Summit FC and CommonSpirit Health have redefined the standard for women's professional sports through the launch of the CommonSpirit Performance Center. As the club's first Founding Partner, CommonSpirit Health has anchored a purpose-built, state-of-the-art training home designed specifically for elite female athletes, setting a new benchmark for investment in women’s sports.

How does this represent "Excellence in Engagement"?

This partnership redefined the standard for fan and community connection by moving beyond the traditional role of a corporate sponsor to become a catalyst for the franchise’s inception. CommonSpirit Health’s early, ambitious commitment was a foundational factor in Denver being awarded a NWSL franchise, uniting fans and supporters around a shared vision before a single minute was played. By prioritizing the team’s infrastructure and long-term success, Denver Summit FC and CommonSpirit Health have proven that dedicated investment in female athletes is one of the most impactful ways to inspire a community.

This work moves the industry forward by demonstrating that a founding partnership can catalyze an entire sports ecosystem. The project sets a new benchmark by proving that a world-class physical footprint fosters a deep sense of pride and belonging among the next generation of athletes. When women’s sports are prioritized with these resources, the result is a legacy of excellence that resonates far beyond the pitch. Denver Summit FC and CommonSpirit Health have established a blueprint for how a mission-driven collaboration can unite an entire region and redefine what is possible in the modern sports landscape.

Objective

The CommonSpirit Performance Center was conceived as a state-of-the-art facility designed specifically to meet the unique physiological and performance needs of elite athletes. The primary goal was to establish a high-performance foundation for Denver Summit FC, creating a 20,000-square-foot facility in Centennial, Colorado that integrates three soccer fields, advanced recovery technology, and a world-class training core. By securing CommonSpirit Health as the naming rights partner, the club aimed to weave sports medicine and holistic wellness into the daily lives of the players from day one. 

CommonSpirit Health demonstrated a profound commitment to this mission by signing on as the club’s first official Founding Partner and Official Healthcare Partner even before the formal bid process for the franchise had opened. This early, ambitious investment was an integral factor in Denver being awarded a National Women’s Soccer League franchise, proving that the right partner can drive both athletic excellence and long-term organizational success.

Strategy & Execution

As the Official Health Care Partner, CommonSpirit Health embeds its medical expertise directly into the club’s daily operations. To prioritize athlete wellness, CommonSpirit’s elite medical team will provide on-site care, meeting players where they train at the CommonSpirit Performance Center to ensure a seamless best-in-class treatment environment. This commitment to professional excellence will also extend to every matchday, with CommonSpirit providing the specialized stretcher crew and professional stadium-wide first aid services. By integrating these critical health functions into the fabric of the club, the partnership ensures a safe, high-performance environment for both the athletes on the field and the fans in the stands, setting a new operational standard for women’s professional soccer.

To ensure the partnership’s impact extended beyond the pitch, Denver Summit FC and CommonSpirit Health launched the 303 Community Fund. This integrated charitable component ensures that a portion of all club partnership revenue is redistributed locally. The execution began immediately with a $10,000 inaugural donation to Soccer Without Borders, utilizing soccer as a vehicle for positive change among underserved youth. This dual-track strategy of pairing world-class infrastructure with deep-rooted community investment was planned with fans in mind, fostering an authentic emotional connection. 

Organizations

• Denver Summit FC

• CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region
• Legends Global

Links

•   Website

Credits

Jen Millet
President
Denver Summit FC

Kaley Cohen
VP of Business Operations & Strategy
Denver Summit FC

Jane Normansell
EVP, Global Partnerships
Legends Global

Kelley Newman
Senior Director, Partnerships
Legends Global

Andrew Gaasch
President Mountain Region
CommonSpirit

Ethan Shumway
VP of Marketing & Communications
CommonSpirit

Casey Schultz
Region Director, Marketing Partnerships
CommonSpirit

Megan Mize
Marketing Partnerships
CommonSpirit