NJ/NY Gotham FC has added WNBA legend Sue Bird as a new minority investor.
Gotham announced the move Friday, just one day after a Sportico report said the club would bring Bird and former NFL quarterback Eli Manning aboard as investors, and that the transactions placed a $40 million valuation on the club. Manning’s status was not addressed by the team at this time.
“As the NWSL franchise in New York, investing in Gotham FC was an easy decision,” said Bird in a club press release announcing the move. “The club has demonstrated sustained business growth and is established as a critical pillar in the community. There is a lot of talk about the power of investing in women’s sports. As an athlete in a position to invest, I’m excited to now lead by example. I am honored to join such a strong ownership group and look forward to the continued business growth and brand recognition for both Gotham FC and the NWSL.”
Bird, whose longtime partner Megan Rapinoe plays for OL Reign, joins team investors that include ex-USWNT great (and former Gotham player) Carli Lloyd, along with Karen Bryant, Kristin Bernert, Ed Nalbandian, and Thirty Five Ventures, a venture capital firm run by NBA star Kevin Durant and his business manager Rich Kleiman. Gotham’s principle owners remain Tammy Murphy, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy, and Steven Temares.
“Sue has played such a big role in shaping today’s WNBA and bringing it to the forefront in so many important cultural conversations,” said Tammy Murphy, who remains Gotham’s Club Chair. “She’s shown tremendous leadership, passion, and work ethic throughout her legendary career, and I cannot wait for her to bring those qualities to Gotham FC.”
Gotham described Bird’s role within the investor group as that of a “consultant and advisor to boost the club’s profile in local, national, and international markets.”
Bird is the latest big name from outside the soccer world to invest in an NWSL club. After Angel City FC’s initial ownership group included actress Natalie Portman and tennis icon Serena Williams, NWSL has seen big names from a wide range of fields invest in its teams, including Dominique Dawes, Chelsea Clinton, and Jenna Bush Hager (Washington Spirit), Naomi Osaka (North Carolina Courage), and ESPN personality Sarah Spain (Chicago Red Stars).
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