Kelley O'Hara Opens Up About Broadcasting Career, Atlanta NWSL Expansion and Life Beyond the Pitch
"It just feels like a miss." Those words from Kelley O'Hara capture the disappointment of never playing professional football in her hometown of Atlanta — the very city where she watched the 1996 Olympics as a youngster and decided to represent her nation on the world stage.
O'Hara hung up her boots in 2024 with NJ/NY Gotham FC, capping off an illustrious career that included two FIFA Women's World Cup titles (2015, 2019), Olympic gold in 2012, Olympic bronze in 2021, NWSL championships in 2021 and 2023, plus a Women's Professional Soccer crown in 2010. The NWSL announced in 2025 that Atlanta would receive its 17th franchise — backed by Arthur Blank, who owns both Atlanta United and the NFL's Falcons — with a planned launch in 2028. Unfortunately for O'Hara, the timing came four years after her retirement.
"That would have been the dream," she revealed during an appearance on the Full Time podcast. Interestingly, the Atlanta Beat had actually secured her services before the 2012 WPS campaign, but the league collapsed just days afterward. Years later, she held discussions with Atlanta United executives about establishing a women's squad, but those plans never materialized while she was still competing.
France 2019 Stands Above the Rest
When asked to prioritize her medal collection, O'Hara doesn't waver: the 2019 World Cup in France claims top honours. She featured in six of seven fixtures, delivered the assist for Christen Press' opening goal in the semifinal victory against England, and ensured the celebrations were unforgettable. "Nobody's sleeping for the next 96 hours. Let's go!" Her 2021 NWSL championship with Washington Spirit ranks second — "I wanted that just as bad as a World Cup" — demonstrating her genuine commitment to domestic competition during an era when many internationals viewed the NWSL as simply filler between national team duties.
Today, she's constructing a second career in broadcasting. CBS recruited her for studio analysis covering NWSL matches and the UEFA Women's Champions League alongside Darian Jenkins, Janelly Farías, and Jen Beattie. Her inaugural live broadcast came at a fan-zone preshow during the 2022 NWSL championship with Ali Riley — minimal pressure, completely improvised. "They're just letting us rip. That's a choice," she said with a laugh.
Authenticity Over Performance
Her approach to broadcasting reflects what made her beloved as a footballer: genuine authenticity without pretense. "I'm just going to say it like it is, and I'm not trying to be anything that I'm not." For a sport still battling for mainstream media recognition in the United States, this unfiltered honesty proves valuable — pundits who sound rehearsed fail to capture audiences.
She expressed interest in potentially joining the Atlanta expansion project, though communication with the organization hasn't occurred yet. Considering her reputation in the city and her broadcasting presence, such discussions appear unavoidable. Whether her involvement materializes on-air or in an off-camera capacity remains uncertain.
And the most challenging aspect of media work after professional athletics? "Getting hair and makeup every day."