Four-time NBA champion Andre Iguodala has joined the NWSL’s Bay FC investor group, the team announced Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- Bay FC is the NWSL’s new expansion franchise.
- The NWSL now has 14 total teams with Bay FC set to begin play in 2024.
- Iguodala is also co-owner of the Leeds United Football Club in the English Premier League.
#BayFC launch complete! 🔥☄️☑️ pic.twitter.com/ELFpM1C0DD
— Bay Football Club (@wearebayfc) June 3, 2023
Backstory
Bay FC was co-founded by former U.S. Women’s National Team members Danielle Slaton, Leslie Osborne, Aly Wagner and Brandi Chastain and investment firm Sixth Street. Sixth Street agreed to invest $125 million with $53 million of that covering the NWSL’s expansion fee to found the team.
The team officially announced its name, badge and branding Thursday. Just a couple days later the Golden State Warriors forward joined Bay FC at Presidio Park in San Francisco for Saturday’s launch party.
While Iguodala is part of the ownership group, CEO of Sixth Street Alex Waxman has previously said the announcement of a training facility will happen in the upcoming months, followed by a stadium. A yet-to-be-named CEO will start June 12.
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(Photo: Darren Yamashita / USA Today)
