- 23-year-old becomes team’s first investor since owner Steve Malik’s purchase in 2017
- Osaka says she’ll focus on growing the brand, promoting women's sport, and tackling social issues
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has acquired an undisclosed ownership stake in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side North Carolina Courage.
While financial terms of her investment have not been disclosed, the 23-year-old becomes the first investor to join team owner Steve Malik since he purchased the Courage and relocated them to North Carolina in 2017.
“The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today and I cannot think of where my life would be without them,” Osaka said in a statement.
“My investment in the North Carolina Courage is far beyond just being a team owner. It’s an investment in amazing women who are role models and leaders in their fields and inspirations to all young female athletes.
“I also admire everything the Courage does for diversity and equality in the community, which I greatly look forward to supporting and driving forward.”
In an interview with People, Osaka said she would serve in a strategic advisor capacity with the Courage, who won the NWSL championship in 2018 and 2019, and would focus on areas like growing the brand, promoting women's sport, and tackling social issues.
“I’ve been wanting to get involved with the NWSL for a while, to promote women's sports and also as a business investment because I can see it growing rapidly,” she added.
A club statement said the Courage are also exploring ways of ‘harnessing Naomi’s passion and talent for fashion, with plans to incorporate the tennis star into its design decisions in 2021’.
Osaka, a three-time Grand Slam champion who won her second US Open title in 2020, was named by Forbes as the world's highest-paid female athlete last year, when she was estimated to have earned around US$34 million from endorsements.
The investment in the Courage adds to her equity stakes in BodyArmor and Hyperice, and follows recent sponsorship deals with Louis Vuitton, Tag Heuer and Workday.
“I am thrilled to welcome Naomi as an owner of the North Carolina Courage,” said Malik, who serves as the club’s chairman. “Naomi embodies the values we have been striving to cultivate at our club, and she brings an invaluable viewpoint on topics beyond sports.
“I cannot think of anyone better to help us as we continue to make a difference in our community and inspire the next generation of women.”
Osaka’s investment comes as the NWSL announced the details of its 2021 season. The league will kick off with the NWSL Challenge Cup on 9th April, with teams playing games in their own market.
Racing Louisville and a new franchise from Kansas City form an expanded ten-team NWSL to take part in a 24-game regular season from 15th May. The league will not break for the 2021 Olympic Games before its conclusion on 30th October.
Six teams will qualify for an expanded NWSL playoffs, set to begin on 6th November, with teams seeking to qualify for the championship game on 20th November.
Japanese tennis star Naomi Osaka has acquired an undisclosed ownership stake in National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side North Carolina Courage.
While financial terms of her investment have not been disclosed, the 23-year-old becomes the first investor to join team owner Steve Malik since he purchased the Courage and relocated them to North Carolina in 2017.
“The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today and I cannot think of where my life would be without them,” Osaka said in a statement.
“My investment in the North Carolina Courage is far beyond just being a team owner. It’s an investment in amazing women who are role models and leaders in their fields and inspirations to all young female athletes.
“I also admire everything the Courage does for diversity and equality in the community, which I greatly look forward to supporting and driving forward.”
In an interview with People, Osaka said she would serve in a strategic advisor capacity with the Courage, who won the NWSL championship in 2018 and 2019, and would focus on areas like growing the brand, promoting women's sport, and tackling social issues.
“I’ve been wanting to get involved with the NWSL for a while, to promote women's sports and also as a business investment because I can see it growing rapidly,” she added.
A club statement said the Courage are also exploring ways of ‘harnessing Naomi’s passion and talent for fashion, with plans to incorporate the tennis star into its design decisions in 2021’.
Osaka, a three-time Grand Slam champion who won her second US Open title in 2020, was named by Forbes as the world's highest-paid female athlete last year, when she was estimated to have earned around US$34 million from endorsements.
The investment in the Courage adds to her equity stakes in BodyArmor and Hyperice, and follows recent sponsorship deals with Louis Vuitton, Tag Heuer and Workday.
“I am thrilled to welcome Naomi as an owner of the North Carolina Courage,” said Malik, who serves as the club’s chairman. “Naomi embodies the values we have been striving to cultivate at our club, and she brings an invaluable viewpoint on topics beyond sports.
“I cannot think of anyone better to help us as we continue to make a difference in our community and inspire the next generation of women.”
Osaka’s investment comes as the NWSL announced the details of its 2021 season. The league will kick off with the NWSL Challenge Cup on 9th April, with teams playing games in their own market.
Racing Louisville and a new franchise from Kansas City form an expanded ten-team NWSL to take part in a 24-game regular season from 15th May. The league will not break for the 2021 Olympic Games before its conclusion on 30th October.
Six teams will qualify for an expanded NWSL playoffs, set to begin on 6th November, with teams seeking to qualify for the championship game on 20th November.
nccourage.com
