JuJu Watkins Makes History As The First College Athlete To Invest In A Women’s Professional Sports Team
You can never predict JuJu Watkins’ next move.
The University of Southern California (USC) basketball player is now an investor in the National Women’s Soccer League’s Boston Legacy Football Club (Boston Legacy FC), according to a press release. Watkins makes history in the process as the first college athlete to invest in a women’s professional sports team.
She joins a group of investors that includes Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, actress Elizabeth Banks, Celtics General Manager Brad Stevens, WNBA player Aliyah Boston, and Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
Sportico reports the city of Boston was awarded a National Women’s Soccer League team in 2023, and the team will begin competing in 2026.
“Boston Legacy FC is creating a space for women to achieve, lead, and inspire others at the highest level, and I’m proud to be part of the movement pushing women’s sports forward,” Watkins said in a press release.
Jennifer Epstein, controlling owner of Boston Legacy FC, commented:
“JuJu’s investment marks a groundbreaking moment for women’s sports and the power of NIL. As the first college athlete to directly invest in a women’s professional sports team, she’s showing that today’s student-athletes aren’t just building their own brands — they’re shaping the future of the game. We’re thrilled to welcome JuJu to Boston Legacy FC as we build momentum, toward our inaugural 2026 season and home opener on March 14, 2026.”
This isn’t Watkins’ first investment in women’s sports. She participated in 3-on-3 women’s basketball league Unrivaled’s $28 million Series A round ahead of signing an NIL deal with the league, according to Sportico.
“I’m just really committed to try to grow the game as best as I can and if I’m able to do that now, of course that’s what I’m gonna do. So I was super excited to be a part of this new wave and hopefully be playing in the league some day,” she said at the time, per CBS Sports.
