WNBA Champion Sabrina Ionescu Invests In NWSL Team

Bay FC announced Monday that WNBA player and Bay Area native Sabrina Ionescu has joined the club as an investor and commercial advisor. She will assist in developing branding partnerships and supporting athletes in securing endorsement deals, adding to the growing trend of professional athletes investing in women’s sports.

Ionescu’s Role with Bay FC

Ionescu, a 2024 WNBA champion with the New York Liberty and an Olympic gold medalist, will work with Bay FC’s commercial team to enhance the club’s sponsorship and marketing efforts. She will also provide guidance to players seeking to expand their personal brands. Born in Walnut Creek, California, and a graduate of Miramonte High School in Orinda, she has longstanding ties to the region.

“I am excited to join Bay FC as an investor and commercial advisor,” Ionescu said in a statement. “I have full faith in the Club’s vision and its potential to make a profound impact within and beyond women’s soccer. The Bay FC team and I look forward to driving branding partnerships for the Bay FC athletes and contributing to the overall success of the Club.”

Ionescu has built a strong commercial portfolio off the court, signing endorsement deals with Nike, Body Armor, Fanatics, AT&T, and Michelob Ultra. In 2023, she became the first women’s basketball player to launch a unisex signature sneaker with Nike, the Sabrina 1. The shoe’s success led to the release of the Sabrina 2 in 2024, which became the most-worn new basketball sneaker in the NBA. Her experience in securing and managing sponsorships will be an asset to Bay FC athletes looking to navigate the business side of professional sports.

Bay FC’s Development and Growth

Bay FC debuted in the NWSL in 2024, marking the return of professional women’s soccer to the Bay Area after FC Gold Pride folded in 2010. As the club enters its second season in 2025, it aims to strengthen its commercial foundation and increase its visibility within the sports industry. The club has already attracted a strong ownership group and significant investment, signaling its ambitions to be a major player in women’s soccer.

Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart highlighted Ionescu’s value as both an investor and advisor.

“Sabrina is the ultimate innovator and creates new pathways for aspiring and current professional athletes,” Stewart said. “Adding her passion and vision to what we are building at Bay FC will allow us to further disrupt the sports landscape.”

Female Athletes Investing in Women’s Sports

Ionescu’s involvement is part of a broader trend of female athletes investing in professional women’s sports. Tennis legend Serena Williams joined the Toronto Tempo as a co-owner this week, making her debut in the WNBA after an already consolidated investment in the NWSL with the Angel City FC.

WNBA star Candace Parker is also an investor in Angel City FC, one of the most commercially successful NWSL clubs. Their investments signal a shift toward greater athlete-led financial support for women’s leagues, aiming to drive revenue growth and sustainability.

Women’s sports have seen rapid commercial expansion, with increased viewership, sponsorship deals, and media coverage. The NWSL has secured record-breaking media rights agreements, as well as the WNBA. Athletes like Ionescu, Williams, and Parker play a critical role in ensuring this momentum translates into long-term financial success for women’s leagues.

“As someone with deep ties to the Bay Area, this opportunity holds even more significance,” Ionescu said. “I am truly honored to be a part of such a special endeavor to continue to grow women’s sports.”

As Bay FC continues its expansion, Ionescu’s involvement adds another layer to the club’s strategy of combining athletic and business expertise to build a stronger future for women’s soccer.