“Basketball is my first love, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of an ownership group that will save the Los Angeles Sparks,” Magic Johnson told The AP in a phone interview. You could see the passion he has for this game and women’s basketball. Sparks were the No. 1 brand ten years ago and they’re a super investment today. And it’s only going to get more exciting!
Johnson’s foresight not only rescued the Sparks, but has inspired an athlete trend. During his time owning the Sparks, the team has garnered three WNBA Championships (2001, 02, and 2016) as well. “Others have taken notice,” Johnson said of more ex-pro competitors investing in the WNBA.
This one hits close to home for Chicago Sky fan Dwyane Wade. My Mom got season tickets when the Sky was formed in 2006… – Wade (@dwadedawade) May 21, 2017 A part of the Sky, that captured their first WNBA Championship in 2021, has become integral to Wade’s life. Doyle said, “It was really important to me that my mom and sister felt like they were genuinely of this. They said yes and now when my mom tells people she’s invested in the Chicago Sky, they will know that her investment was not just figurative.” Wade bought into the Sky in 2019, a detail that shows Wade has been about women’s sports for quite some time. Hence, “I’ve been ‘Team Always Sunny’ for a long time,” he says. Though it was just the start after all when we saw Sky beat Magic’s Sparks last month.
Brady’s interest in women’s sports traces back to his childhood. Based on his response, “My love for sports started with my big sisters’ games,” the seven-time Super Bowl champion. With the energy of the fans and talent in players, Brady became part-owner of Las Vegas Aces. The Aces were champions of the W championship in 2022 and 2023 behind star players such as A’ja Wilson. Brady stated, “I’m proud to be a part of the Aces family and assist in bringing awareness to our sport.” The WNBA has been a global brand but growing the game and empowering women into sports like this at any level is so inspirational.
He also formed friendly rivalries while owning a WNBA team. Johnson: “I love whooping my colleagues. Tom, right now I cannot speak about Tom since they are the back-to-back champions.” Brady responded with a bit of good humor. Who doesn’t love a classic trash talk! Magic understands it is all slowly becoming part of the process. The Aces make it too easy!
More and more, former athletes are investing in the WNBA. Sportico recently listed four teams with valuations above $100 million, and both new expansion groups in Golden State and Toronto have paid over $100 million thanks to expanding fees, the highest at any point on record. “Right now, it appears as though [the WNBA is] on the road to being a very good long-term investment,” said Sportscorp President Marc Ganis.
Cathy Engelbert – commissioner of the WNBA: “Everybody’s talking about the WNBA, you either love it or hate it,” she said. “Invest in hiring a business manager.” Serena Williams likewise said she is open to becoming involved in a team of the new league. Engelbert added: “It is an optimistic sign that many more former athletes are beginning to understand and get involved with the WNBA.”
With support from sports legends Magic Johnson, Dwyane Wade, and Tom Brady involved, it looks like the WNBA is set up for a promising future. Or, as Johnson said: “It’s the perfect time. The game is exploding.”
Sue Bird and Renee Montgomery, who have retired from the WNBA, are also part-owners. Bird, who has four WNBA titles with Seattle, and Montgomery (2005-12; two of those Lynx championships came during her time in Minnesota), offers veteran leadership for the 2018 season to their teams: The Storm and Dream. Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis, as well as your favorite market data figures (CNBC Pro access also included with original show footage). The Investing In Trends Podcast. I’m Dan Montgomery. “Being that I’m in women’s sports, knowing what the game is like and how it should be promoted.”
