Following the U.S. women’s national league’s fourth World Cup win in 2020, massive strides have been taken to guarantee gender equality in the sport. In February of this year, the U.S. Soccer Federation and the women’s team announced a settlement agreement on their longstanding pay dispute. In the agreement, the federation agreed to pay the men’s and women’s teams equally in the next union contract and give the women’s team $22 million in back pay.
“Getting to this day has not been easy,” the team and the federation said in a joint statement at the time. “The U.S. Women’s National Team players have achieved unprecedented success while working to achieve equal pay for themselves and future athletes. Today, we recognize the legacy of the past USWNT leaders who helped to make this day possible, as well as all of the women and girls who will follow. Together, we dedicate this moment to them.”
Not long after, in May, the federation announced that it had reached a deal to pay the men’s and the women national teams equally, eliminating a contentious pay gap. “In a historic accomplishment, U.S. Soccer, @USMNT and @USWNT have come together to agree to new collective bargaining agreements that will run through 2028 and achieve true equal pay – including equalization of World Cup prize money,” they said in a joint statement at the time.
Inspired by the efforts and the team’s success, Natalie Portman co-founded Angel City Football Club, a member of the National Women’s Soccer League, in July 2020. Fellow co-founders, venture capitalist Kara Nortman and media and gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman, joined forces with Portman to build not only the first women’s soccer team in Los Angeles, but to create a system that paid them fairly too. Together, the three also called in a hefty lineup of female investors including Jennifer Garner, Eva Longoria, Jessica Chastain, Becky G, and many others.
With the team’s exciting debut earlier this year in April, we decided to track down all the celebrity women who have invested in soccer teams. Though not at all of them invested in women’s teams, it’s still a step in the right direction to have women on the business side of things. Check out the exciting investors below!
Natalie Portman
Natalie Portman co-founded Angel City FC alongside Kara Nortman and Julie Uhrman. “We love soccer,” Portman told Fast Company on the team’s mission. “But we also have a secondary mission, which is to push forward the state of conditions for female athletes.”
Serena Williams, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. & Alexis Ohanian
Adorable family of three Serena Williams, 5-year-old Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., and Alexis Ohanian are all investors and co-owners of Angel City FC.
“As I was watching the 2019 Women’s World Cup final and my daughter was running around in an Alex Morgan jersey,” Ohanian said of the moment he decided to help, per Sportskeeda. “I was just musing like, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if she played for the women’s national team one day?’ And Serena without missing a single beat said, ‘Not until they pay her what she’s worth.’ I was like, alright, challenge accepted, let’s see if I can do some things to help.”
Ohanian is currently the lead investor of the team while Serena and Olympia are listed as investors too.
Uzo Aduba
Orange Is the New Black alum Uzo Aduba is also an investor/co-owner of Angel City FC. “It seemed like a sound investment,” the actress told Los Angeles Times. “There is so much room to grow, so many prospects.”
Christina Aguilera
Iconic singer Christina Aguilera has been an investor/co-owner of Angel City FC since February.
Sophia Bush
“I am just elated to be a part of ANGEL CITY,” actress Sophia Bush said in a statement to People back in 2020 when she joined the team as an investor/co-owner. “As a lifelong soccer fan, having a women’s football club in my hometown is a dream come true. Being a part of a leadership group like this one, filled with women and allies who are passionate about building community both on and off the field — who care about legacy, integrity, and the advancement of female athletes — is thrilling.”
Jessica Chastain
In Nov 2020, Oscar winner Jessica Chastain joined the star-studded Angel City FC investor list. “We are home 💛,” the actress wrote on Instagram at the time. “I can’t wait to cheer the women of Angel City FC on in this beautiful stadium in the heart of LA!”
Shawn Johnson
Former professional gymnast Shawn Johnson East and her husband Andrew East are also investors and co-owners of Angel City FC. “Angel City obviously has created a business out of this to start a movement but a lot of those profits are going directly to the athletes, which I think is pretty cool,” the former Olympian told CBS News.
America Ferrera
After a July game, America Ferrera shared how thrilled she was to be one of Angel City FC’s investors and co-owners. “💀I’m dead. Cause my mind & heart exploded at the Angel City home game this weekend!!” the actress wrote on Instagram alongside a gallery of her at the game. “I’m born and bred in Los Angeles and I get to be an investor in LA’s first @nwsl team @weareangelcity !! Our team is insanely fierce, as are all the incredible people (majority women) who made this dream team a reality for LA!! The team is already investing into our city and will continue to make us Angelenos proud!! Go Angels!! ⚽️💕⚡️🌴☀️”
Becky G
Singer Becky G is another investor and co-owner of Angel City FC. When she first joined the organization, she shared the news with fans during a video conversation with Eva Longoria.
“All I kept thinking and all I’ve been thinking is being born and raised in L.A. and how much it’s inspired me in everything that I do, not just in my creativity but just how I move as a person and what I want to create,” the singer said. “It’s all something bigger than me, it all started before me. My abuelitos came from Mexico with the clothes on their backs and not a penny in their pocket and I’m just a branch of what is that American dream that they started and to be able to look at them and tell them that their granddaughter is officially an owner of the first female soccer club, it’s such a blessing.”
Jennifer Garner
Now that she’s a co-owner and investor of Angel City FC, Jennifer Garner has become an official soccer mom.
“@glennondoyle and I are proud to serve as The Soccer Moms for the warrior players of @weareangelcity FC,” Garner wrote of her and author Glennon Doyle on Instagram after one of the team’s games. “We know next to nothing about the soccer, but we know how to tie shoelaces and bows, to cheer for and love—luckily there is room for all of us—come to a game and find out! ⚽”
In the video, the two were seen helping the players tie their hair and shoelaces, motivating them as they entered the pitch, and handing out orange slices at the end of the match.
Lilly Singh
Youtuber and host Lilly Singh is another celeb co-owner and investor of Angel City FC. “I’m a proud owner of @weareangelcity and we’re HYPE AF to bring women’s soccer to LA,” the internet personality wrote on Instagram.
Gabrielle Union & Kaavia Wade
Gabrielle Union and 4-year-old Kaavia James Union Wade are also Angel City FC investors. Olympia Ohanian won’t be the only little one cheering in the stands!
Rachel Zoe
Stylist and entrepreneur Rachel Zoe is also an Angel City FC investor/co-owner.
Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria, another co-owner and investor of Angel City FC, was so happy to join the cause. “It’s investing to make sure that women are represented in a field where even female sports are male-owned and male-run,” she said. “We thought why not change that and be the example that we want to see?”
In addition to ACFC, the Desperate Housewives alum also has a share of Mexican football club Necaxa since 2021, Daily Mail reported.
Kate Upton
Alongside Longoria, model Kate Upton, and her baseball pitcher husband Justin Verlander, are investors for the Mexican football club Necaxa.
Brittany Mahomes
Since 2020, Brittany Matthews Mahomes, the wife of Kansas Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, has been a shareholder of the Kansas City National Women’s Soccer League. “I have a true level of appreciation for what these incredible women do on a daily basis,” Matthews said in a statement when the news broke, per USA Today. “We have the greatest fans and community here in KC and I can’t wait to huddle around this team.”
Reese Witherspoon
In April 2022, Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth joined Nashville Soccer Club’s ownership group.
“As a Tennessee native, it is thrilling to see how much growth and development has come to our home state,” the actress said in a statement, per the team. “One of the things that my whole family is most excited about is Nashville Soccer Club! The opportunity to go as a family and watch a world class team compete has been such an incredible experience. On behalf of Jim and our children, we are thrilled to be a part of the NSC family!”
Ciara & Russell Wilson
Music icon Ciara and professional football player husband Russell Wilson both became part-owners of Seattle Sounders FC three years ago in 2019.
Kelly Ripa & Mark Consuelos
Kelly Ripa and husband Mark Consuelos became part-owners of fifth tier Italian club A.S.D. Campobasso 1919 earlier this month. The club, which was on the verge of going under, gained new life with the couple’s invesment. “When I heard the story about these fans being at risk of losing the sport they love, Kelly and I wanted to get involved and be part of the solution,” Consuelos told ESPN.
Mindy Kaling
The Sex Lives of College Girls creator Mindy Kaling is an investor in Wales-based football team Swansea City Football Club. “I was inspired by Oprah, who invests in things she believes in, I believe in this team, and I think it is a smart choice,” Kaling told ITV in Wales, per Wales Online. “I could have picked something a bit closer to my home, but I think it is an adventure.”
Naomi Osaka
In 2021, tennis star Naomi Osaka joined the ownership group of the National Women’s Soccer League’s North Carolina Courage. “I’m very entrepreneurial and ambitious in business,” Osaka told The Athletic. “I’m also passionate about growing awareness for women’s sport and inspiring the next generation of young girls. So, being an owner in NWSL team seemed like a great way to merge those two interests.”
Jenna Bush Hager
Three weeks after Osaka’s investment in the North Carolina Courage, Jenna Bush Hager joined the investor group in the NWSL’s Washington Spirit.
Chelsea Clinton
Along with Bush Hager, fellow former first daughter Chelsea Clinton also became an investor for Washington Spirit.
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