Thasunda Brown Duckett, One Of 2 Black Women CEOs Leading Fortune 500 Companies, Joins Investor Group Of The New York Liberty
TIAA President and CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett is now an investor in the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
As AFROTECH™ previously told you, Duckett is one of two Black women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. Now, she is making headlines for her minority stake in the New York Liberty as part of an investor group, Essence reports. Majority team owners, Clara Wu Tsai and her husband, Joe Tsai, raised capital through the group at a valuation of $450 million, which is a record for a professional women’s sports franchise, according to The New York Times. What’s more, Clara shared that she thinks the team is capable of becoming the “first billion-dollar women’s sports franchise.” The Tsais are also co-owners of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.
Duckett expressed on Instagram, “Sports has made a profound impact in my life. It taught me grit, perseverance, teamwork and resilience. To be an investor in women’s sports and the NY Liberty franchise is truly an impact moment.”
The investment group, with each share a percentage in the “mid-teens”, also includes Alibaba Founder Jack Ma, CNBC’s Karen Finerman, supermodel Karlie Kloss, private equity executive Gabrielle Rubenstein, and philanthropist Samantha Lasry. The raise will reportedly support a 75,000-square-foot practice facility located in Brooklyn, NY, once approved by the WNBA Board. The Guardian reports this will lead to the creation of two full practice courts, a strength and training room, a recovery suite, a hair and makeup studio, and more for the New York Liberty players — who won their first WNBA championship in 2024.
“We are pleased to welcome Jack, Karen, Thasunda, Karlie, Gabrielle and Samantha to the New York Liberty family,” Clara said, according to Essence. “We are fortunate to partner with these entrepreneurs and leaders whose exceptional achievements span technology, finance, business, and culture. They bring unique perspectives to our organization and share our deep commitment to advancing women’s sports.”
Joe Tsai commented:
“I am also delighted to welcome our other investors to our New York Liberty family, each of whom is a fierce advocate for women across industries including sports.”
