Jennifer Epstein

Jennifer Epstein
Born	Jennifer Cody Epstein
Nationality	American
Occupation	Author, sports executive
Title	Controlling manager and co-founder, Boston Legacy FC
Employer	Boston Legacy FC / Boston Unity Soccer Partners
Known for	Novelist; controlling owner and co-founder of Boston Legacy FC
Education	Columbia University (MFA)

Jennifer Epstein may refer to two prominent American figures sharing the same name: Jennifer Cody Epstein, an American novelist known for her works of historical fiction, and Jennifer Epstein, the controlling owner and co-founder of Boston Legacy FC, a National Women's Soccer League expansion team. While both are named Jennifer Epstein and are active in American public life, available sources indicate they are distinct individuals operating in different professional spheres. Jennifer Cody Epstein has built a career as a literary author whose novels explore complex historical narratives across cultures and continents, with her work earning recognition from organizations such as the Mystery Writers of America. The Jennifer Epstein associated with Boston Legacy FC has emerged as a significant figure in American women's professional soccer, steering the franchise through its expansion process and toward its inaugural 2026 season. This article addresses both figures, organized by their respective careers and public profiles, drawing on available sourced material.

Jennifer Cody Epstein

Career

Jennifer Cody Epstein is an American author of literary and historical fiction. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia University. Her novels have drawn attention for their engagement with historical periods and settings spanning multiple countries and cultures.

In a 2013 interview with The Rumpus, Epstein discussed her approach to writing and her literary career at that point. The interview explored her research methods, her interest in historical subject matter, and the process of constructing narratives rooted in real events and settings.

Epstein has been associated with Stony Brook University, where she has been listed among the faculty affiliated with the university's creative programs.

Her work has received recognition from the Mystery Writers of America, which administers the Edgar Awards, one of the most prominent awards in the mystery and literary crime fiction genre.

Epstein's bibliographic records appear across numerous international library authority files, including the Library of Congress, the Virtual International Authority File (VIAF), and the International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) registry, reflecting the international distribution and cataloging of her published works. Her records also appear in the national libraries of the Netherlands, Norway, the Czech Republic, France, Poland, Latvia, and Israel, as well as in WorldCat and Yale University's library collections. The breadth of these records indicates that her novels have been translated and acquired by libraries in numerous countries.

Education

Epstein earned her MFA from the School of the Arts at Columbia University. The university's arts school has highlighted her as an alumna of its writing program, noting her return to the institution in connection with her published novels. Based on the designation "'03" used by Columbia, Epstein completed her MFA in 2003.

Jennifer Epstein (Boston Legacy FC)

Career in Women's Professional Soccer

Founding of Boston Legacy FC

Jennifer Epstein is the controlling owner and co-founder of Boston Legacy FC, a National Women's Soccer League expansion franchise based in the Boston metropolitan area. The team, operating under the corporate entity Boston Unity Soccer Partners, was established as part of the NWSL's expansion efforts. Epstein has served as the organization's leading executive figure throughout the franchise's development.

The Business Journals included Epstein in its Power 50 list for 2025, identifying her as the controlling owner at Boston Legacy FC and Boston Unity Soccer Partners. The profile noted that as Boston's own NWSL team prepared for its 2026 launch, Epstein stood at the center of the franchise's strategic direction.

Revenue and Infrastructure Strategy

In an October 2025 interview with SportsPro, Epstein outlined her vision for the financial viability and growth trajectory of Boston Legacy FC. She expressed the belief that the franchise would become one of the NWSL's top revenue-generating clubs, citing infrastructure investments that she expected would deliver long-term return on investment and profitability for the organization. The interview addressed topics including stadium planning, sponsorship strategy, and ticket sales as core components of the club's business model.

Building the Organization

In September 2025, Boston Legacy FC announced the hiring of Jennifer van Dijk as its first team president. The appointment brought a longtime sports and entertainment executive into the organization's leadership structure as the club prepared for its inaugural NWSL season. The hiring signaled the team's efforts to professionalize its front office operations ahead of competition play.

Inaugural Season

In March 2026, Boston Legacy FC held its inaugural match against Gotham FC at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Ahead of the match, Epstein spoke to the media, reflecting on the historic nature of the event for the franchise and for women's professional soccer in the Boston area.

The inauguration of the team attracted coverage from multiple media outlets. Ground News aggregated reporting on the event, highlighting Epstein's remarks on the significance of the moment for the club. MSN also carried reporting describing Epstein as the controlling manager and co-founder who reflected on the history the team was about to make.

The selection of Gillette Stadium as the venue for the inaugural match placed the event at one of the most prominent sports facilities in the northeastern United States, underscoring the ambitions of the franchise and Epstein's vision for the club's positioning within the NWSL and the broader Boston sports landscape.

Recognition

Epstein's role in leading Boston Legacy FC into the NWSL was recognized by The Business Journals, which included her in the publication's Power 50 list for the Boston area in 2025. The SportsPro profile of the franchise also centered Epstein's leadership and business strategy as central to the club's identity and market positioning.

The extensive media coverage surrounding the March 2026 inaugural match at Gillette Stadium further raised Epstein's public profile as a figure in American women's professional sports ownership. Coverage appeared in outlets including MassLive, Yahoo Sports, MSN, and Ground News, all identifying Epstein by her role as controlling manager and co-founder.

Disambiguation Note

Sources also identify a Jennifer Epstein working as a broadcast journalist at FOX 13 Tampa Bay, who has appeared in on-air segments covering topics such as health and fitness. This individual is distinct from both Jennifer Cody Epstein the novelist and Jennifer Epstein the Boston Legacy FC executive.