As his career in the NBA winds down, Andre Iguodala is making waves in another sport: women's soccer. The four-time NBA champion was announced as part of the investor group for the National Women's Soccer League's (NWSL) new expansion team, Bay FC, which is set to debut in 2024 according to The Athletic. This move further cements Iguodala's status as a savvy businessman with diverse interests.
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Bay FC was co-founded by former U.S. Women's National Team members Danielle Slaton, Leslie Osborne, Aly Wagner, and Brandi Chastain, along with investment firm Sixth Street. Sixth Street agreed to invest $125 million in the team, with $53 million covering the NWSL’s expansion fee. The announcement was made at a launch party that took place at the Presidio in San Francisco, drawing more than 5,000 people as reported on Audacy's 95.7 The Game.
Iguodala has plenty of history with team ownership, especially outside the United States. He is also a co-owner of the Leeds United Football Club in the English Premier League. With this latest investment, Iguodala combines his passion for sports, support for women's soccer, and pursuit of new business ventures—strengthening his ties to the region in the process.
Bay FC, set to be the 14th franchise in America's top-tier women's soccer league, comes as a welcome addition to the NWSL. With Iguodala's involvement, the expansion team is expected to attract attention not only from sports aficionados but also from those interested in business endeavors in the world of athletics.
The 39-year-old NBA veteran has built solid connections within Silicon Valley over the years, and this move only adds to his impressive portfolio. Despite being hobbled by injuries this season, Iguodala has remained an influential figure within the NBA, even suggesting on his 'Point Forward' podcast last year that the 2022-2023 season would be his last. And although he has recently left the door open for a potential return, Iguodala is clearly setting the stage for a future beyond the basketball court.
Bay FC's launch was a major event, with the unveiling of the team's name, logo, and branding taking place just a few days earlier on Thursday. While the franchise has yet to announce where they will play their home games, a likely contender is PayPal Park in San Jose, the current home of the MLS's San Jose Earthquakes.
Alex Waxman, the CEO of Sixth Street, had previously indicated that a training facility announcement would occur in the coming months, followed by a stadium announcement. He also noted that a yet-to-be-named CEO would start on June 12.
