Akron City FC and Lorain County Leviathan FC Ownership Groups Acquire Northern Ohio Soccer League
Akron and Avon, OHIO — Akron City FC and Lorain County Leviathan FC today announced the acquisition of the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL), with the new ownership group assuming league operations immediately.
Founded in 2019, NOSL has established itself as one of the region’s leading adult amateur soccer leagues. The league recently completed its 2026 season with 20 men’s teams and eight women’s teams competing across a footprint that stretches from Northwest and Northeast Ohio south to Central Ohio and Columbus.
NOSL operates a summer schedule from May through July. The men’s competition currently features two divisions with promotion and relegation, creating meaningful competition throughout the league table and providing clubs with the opportunity to advance based on performance.
The acquisition brings together NOSL’s established foundation and local identity with the experience, resources and relationships behind Akron City FC and Lorain County Leviathan FC. The new ownership group plans to invest in the league while maintaining what has made NOSL successful: a locally operated league built around the needs of its teams and players.
“This is really about continuing to grow the game and creating a professionally run place for players to play after they graduate out of the youth soccer system,” said Nick Turchan of Akron City FC. “There are thousands of talented men and women coming through clubs and high schools across Ohio every year, and only a small percentage will ultimately play at the highest levels of college or professional soccer. That shouldn’t mean their competitive soccer experience has to end. We want NOSL to provide a great environment for those players to continue playing at a high level.”
Turchan added, “We also recognize that not every club has the same ambitions. We can provide a strong regional league for teams that want that experience, while also creating a national league level environment for clubs that want greater standards, competition and professionalism. NOSL will be a platform for teams of all shapes and sizes.
The ownership group brings extensive experience across professional sports, soccer, finance, business operations, sponsorship, marketing and community engagement.
“Braden and the existing teams have built a tremendous foundation, and our first responsibility is to respect and build upon what is already working,” said Andrew McDonnell of Lorain County Leviathan FC. “We see a tremendous opportunity to elevate the NOSL brand, help our individual clubs elevate their own brands and, most importantly, help teams deepen their connections within their local communities.”
McDonnell continued, “A lot of the attention in soccer understandably goes to the very top of the pyramid and the professional game, but that represents a very small percentage of the people who play this sport. There is an enormous population of talented players who still want to compete at a high level. They deserve professionally run leagues and clubs that take their experience seriously.”
Beyond competition on the field, the new ownership group views NOSL as a developmental platform throughout the soccer and sports industry. The league intends to create opportunities not only for players and coaches, but also for aspiring sports business professionals seeking hands-on experience in areas such as team operations, analytics, marketing, social media, sponsorship, ticketing, broadcasting and event management. The league also plans to work with the local referee association on rebuilding the ranks of quality match officials.
The acquisition marks the next chapter for a league that founder Braden Mast has led since its inception in 2019.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to found the Northern Ohio Soccer League and lead it since 2019,” said Mast. “I’m incredibly proud of what our teams, players and everyone involved with the league have built. I’ve known the Akron City and Leviathan guys for a few years now, and I believe their vision, experience and resources can take this league beyond what I could have accomplished on my own. I look forward to watching NOSL continue to grow and prosper in the years ahead.”
League operations under the new ownership group begin immediately, with planning already underway for the 2027 season.
NOSL is currently accepting inquiries from new men’s and women’s teams interested in joining the league for 2027. Submit your interest at www.noslsoccer.com. Make sure to follow the league on Instagram, Facebook and X @noslsoccer for more news and information.