Trailblazing women’s soccer club TLH Reckoning tests the waters of community ownership

Trailblazing women’s soccer club founded by women’s soccer legend invites the local and global community the chance to become co-owners

TALLAHASSEE, FL — TLH Reckoning, Tallahassee’s first women’s pre-professional soccer team has soft-launched a Community Ownership Campaign through WeFunder with an official public launch on April 12; giving fans and supporters the opportunity to invest in and co-own the club.

This announcement marks a major step forward in the team’s mission to build a sustainable, community-rooted sports organisation centred around equity, development, and long-term impact. The club is now in a “soft launch” phase required by WeFunder to gauge investor interest before opening the campaign publicly on April 12.

“Our mission has always been to serve the player and properly establish an evolved standard of women’s soccer/football for the greater soccer community,” said Dr. Ashlee Fontes, Founder of TLH Reckoning. “By transitioning to a community ownership model, we can ensure the long-term success and sustainability is powered by the people with decisions prioritized for our players, fans, and impact. This club belongs to the people — forever.”

TLH Reckoning is the first of its kind women’s soccer/football club. Inspired by the hotbed of local talent and the greater national demand for a pathway to professional ranks, the club has emerged with an impact driven, player centred and community fuelled philosophy. Led by one of the most prolific and most successful architects of the modern women’s game, Dr. Ashlee Fontes (Comber). One early investor and retired Fortune 500 Executive stated, “With Dr. Fontes at the helm, I am confident that this historic venture will exceed expectations.”

Dr. Fontes previously started and led the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) from scratch to profitability in three years. She co-founded the only all-girls elite national league in the United States, the Girls Academy (GA) league where she negotiated monumental deals with the likes of Major League Soccer (MLS), Soccer United Marketing (SUM) and others. She served with humility as President of the largest coaches’ association in the world, United Soccer Coaches. Dr. Fontes was a record-setting soccer player at Florida State University and credits the crumbling of the first women’s professional league folding prior to her graduation for inspiring her torch bearing career. Dr. Fontes is a widely-recognised trailblazer in the game and has creates opportunities for thousands on and off the pitch. She is a published academic scholar with a research expertise in start-up ventures and firm mortality.

“The vision is not only necessarily solely for Tallahassee, but for the global game,” said Dr. Fontes. “We have worked for the past 23 months to launch TLH Reckoning while laying the foundation to build an all-girls residential academy, a stadium and training facility, and a bid for a professional team. I invite my friends, my soccer/football advocates/fans near and far to join me in the next step of this incredible journey. It is a lift and impact we can only accomplish together.”

Investment reservations are now available at wefunder.com/tlhreckoninginc. TLH Reckoning kicks off their second pre-professional season on the road on May 9th with their home opener at 6pm on May 14th against Sporting Jacksonville at ‘The Nest’ (Gene Cox Stadium). Tickets are available at www.tlhreckoning.com. Media inquiries may be sent to media@tlhreckoning.com. All other questions may be directed to info@tlhreckoning.com.

About TLH Reckoning

IMPACT DRIVEN | PLAYER CENTERED | COMMUNITY FUELED

Founded in 2023, TLH Reckoning is the first women’s pre-professional soccer franchise in Tallahassee’s 200+ year history with two teams competing in the United Soccer League (USL) W League (USL W) and the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) respectively. The club is committed to developing top-tier athletes and fostering inclusive pathways to professional soccer through its year-round Academy, development training and Alliance with 2023 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Champions Gotham FC. TLH Reckoning is not just a team; it’s a movement for equity, access, and community-powered excellence in sport.