Sam Kerr confirmed her NWSL return was a deliberate choice, stating Gotham FC was her only consideration after departing Chelsea. "With all the change at Chelsea and me wanting something new, it was really the only league that I saw myself in," Kerr told reporters. She cited strong personal ties to the league and her desire to compete for championships again as primary motivators for her move.

Kerr's NWSL debut is set for July 15 against the Washington Spirit. The forward, who still holds the league's regular-season scoring record with 77 goals, previously played for Gotham's predecessor, Sky Blue FC, from 2015-2017. Her new deal with Gotham FC runs through 2030, nearly the league maximum of five years, reflecting a desire for stability after her previous NWSL stints.

Gotham FC’s management emphasized their creative approach to roster building, leveraging allocation money and the new High Impact Player rule. The club boasts approximately $1.25 million in usable allocation money from various sources. This financial flexibility allows Gotham to assemble a star-studded roster despite salary cap constraints, aiming to maximize talent on the field.