New York Liberty baller Sabrina Ionescu has joined NWSL club Bay FC’s ownership group as an investor and commercial advisor.

The WNBA champion and Olympic Gold medalist is already one of the biggest names in basketball and a Bay Area icon at 27. Investing in women’s soccer is nothing new for America’s elite athletes, from Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams to Angel Reese. However, Ionescu taking on the role of commercial advisor at an up-and-coming NWSL franchise is a first.

Ionescu might be known for shooting threes, but she’s one of the most business savvy ballers around, too. She became the first women’s basketball player to have a unisex signature shoe with Nike back in 2023 with the Sabrina 1s. The Sabrina 2 dropped last year and was the most-worn sneaker in the NBA. 

She will work with the club on their commercial strategy, as well as supporting the players in building relationships and partnerships with brands. 

With her portfolio including endorsements and partnerships with Nike, AT&T, Body Armor and more, Bay FC couldn’t have found anyone better to run the ship. 

The WNBA and NWSL are two of the fastest growing leagues in women’s sports, and women’s soccer and basketball crossovers have become increasingly common in the last few years. NWSL stars are regularly spotted supporting their local WNBA franchises, and Gotham FC and New York Liberty have collaborated multiple times with merch and community-based events.

Ionescu’s new role at Bay FC is the first of its kind and one of the biggest NWSL-WNBA link-ups so far. The Bay’s favourite baller just set another precedent. Here’s to more players following in her footsteps.