USC star JuJu Watkins, recognized as the consensus NCAA women’s basketball player of the year for the 2024-25 season, is making headlines once again as she joins the investor group for the Boston Legacy Football Club (FC), a new expansion team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). This move, announced on a Thursday, marks a significant moment not only in Watkins’ career but also in the realm of women’s sports, as she becomes the first college athlete to directly invest in a professional women’s sports team.
The Boston Legacy FC is set to debut alongside Denver Summit FC in March, enhancing the NWSL’s roster to 16 teams. This expansion represents a growing commitment to women’s professional soccer, providing more opportunities for female athletes and fostering a competitive league that can rival established men’s sports.
Watkins expressed her enthusiasm for the investment, emphasizing the club’s mission: “Boston Legacy FC is creating a space for women to achieve, lead, and inspire others at the highest level,” she stated. By joining the investor group, Watkins is not merely participating in the economic growth of women’s sports; she is actively contributing to a cultural shift that prioritizes and elevates women’s achievements in athletics.
Despite her rising status in sports and business, Watkins is currently sidelined for the 2025-26 season due to a torn ACL she suffered during the NCAA tournament in March. She plans to return to USC for the next season, further cementing her commitment to her collegiate career while also making strides in the professional realm.
Last season, as a sophomore, Watkins led the USC Trojans to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Her outstanding performance rendered her a recipient of prestigious awards, including the Naismith Trophy and the John R. Wooden Award. Averaging an impressive 23.9 points and 3.4 assists per game, and having previously averaged 27.1 points and 7.3 rebounds as a freshman, she has established herself as a formidable player on the court and an influential figure off it.
Her investment in Boston Legacy FC has been hailed as a watershed moment by Jennifer Epstein, the club’s controlling owner. Epstein noted that, “JuJu’s investment marks a groundbreaking moment for women’s sports and the power of name, image, and likeness (NIL).” This comment underscores the potential for college athletes to engage in business practices that were previously unavailable to them, effectively allowing them to build their brands and make impactful contributions within professional sports landscapes.
In addition to her investment in Boston Legacy FC, Watkins has secured multiple NIL deals, including partnerships with notable companies such as Unrivaled, Fanatics, and United Airlines. These agreements reflect the increasing marketability of collegiate athletes and the evolving landscape of amateur sports, where endorsements and investments intertwine with athletic performance.
Watkins is not alone in her commitment to this expanding league; Boston Legacy FC is backed by a diverse group of investors, including prominent figures such as three-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman and Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens. This network of support showcases the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders to champion women’s sports and nurture the upcoming generation of female athletes.
The investment strategy utilized by Watkins and others signifies a crucial pivot towards more inclusive opportunities in sports. By directly investing in teams and initiatives, athletes like Watkins are not just passive participants but active shapers of their future and the future of women’s sports. This reflects a broader societal change aimed at empowering women in athletics, creating spaces for leadership, and fostering a sense of community around women’s achievements.
From a broader perspective, the presence of teams like Boston Legacy FC and the recent influx of investments into women’s sports are illustrative of the momentum that has been building over the past few years. With increasing public interest, sponsorships, and media coverage, the landscape for women’s sports is evolving rapidly. The representation of women in professional leagues, alongside partnerships with notable athletes and investors, not only provides validation but also serves to inspire future generations of female athletes.
In conclusion, JuJu Watkins’ investment in the Boston Legacy Football Club is a groundbreaking development in women’s sports, illustrating the rising influence and empowerment of female athletes in business and professional environments. As we move towards the league’s expansion and the resurgence of Watkins on the basketball court, her dual role as an athlete and investor will likely pave the way for more college athletes to explore similar opportunities in the future. With sustained dedication and support, the trajectory of women’s athletics appears to be on an upward climb, promising growth, recognition, and inspiration for athletes, fans, and investors alike. Thus, as the NWSL prepares for its expansion, it also prepares for an era defined by greater inclusion and representation in sports, led by trailblazers like JuJu Watkins.
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