The NWSL is returning in a week and will soon be followed by the WNBA as the summer kicks off. Both leagues have seen a rise in popularity thanks to stars in both leagues, such as Caitlin Clark and Trinity Rodman.
One player has links to both leagues. New York Liberty star guard Sabrina Ionescu is an investor in Angel City FC and has been part of the team's promotion. This occurred in 2025. Ionescu has been at the forefront of promoting both leagues.
She is the first women's basketball player to have a unisex signature collection with Nike. And now Angel City FC can link both the west coast and the east and the leagues. Angel City plays in Los Angeles while the New York Liberty play in Brooklyn.
Ionescu investment shows the power of women investing in other avenues and revenue streams for women's sports.
Sabrina Ionescu also joined Alex Morgan as an investor
The new investment group is hoping to drive even more eyes and fans to the NWSL moving forward and expand its growth in the country.
This points to how powerful a player such as Sabrina Ionescu has become, not just the league in which she is a champion and All-star, but also becoming a voice in women's empowerment across the United States.
Trinity Rodman could arguably be the face of the NWSL, but having strong fans and investors by the players' side means more fans, say, of the Liberty could take a glance at a game.
It also drives much interest in the WNBA. If Angel City fans are looking for an interest in watching the basketball league, they may want to root for the Liberty and Ionescu.
There is no doubt that Caitlin Clark is the star of the WNBA and women's basketball. But there is a strong case that due to her profile and investments, Ionescu is second in popularity.
Clark, Rodman and Ionescu have done things right by continuing to be strong voices in their sports and raising the profile of both leagues and respective sports.
Some players have decided to focus on things outside of either basketball or soccer which has hurt their cause. Elizabeth Eddy of the NWSL and Angel Reese of the WNBA are prime examples of players who have hurt the promotion of their leagues.
But now little girls and fans of both can have a player and talent to root for. After Sabrina Ionescu launches a three pointer this season, she may hear cheers from both New York City and Los Angeles this season.
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