Jayson Tatum is making moves on and off the basketball court as he explores potential investment opportunities in a WNBA franchise in St. Louis, MO.
As interested parties compete for ownership of the league’s upcoming 16th team, the Boston Celtics star has informally committed to supporting the franchise, according to Sportico. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, Tatum secured a record-breaking five-year, $315 million contract extension in July and now plans to work behind the scenes, helping attract other high-profile investors and advocating for the WNBA team.
“St. Louis is a top-tier sports market, and we believe that bringing a WNBA franchise to the region will be a defining moment in the city’s ongoing revitalization,” said Don Soffer, the spokesperson for the effort to establish the 16th team in St. Louis, per Sportico.
Tatum’s potential involvement follows a change in the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, ratified in April 2023, which, as OnFocus previously reported, now allows individuals to own up to 4% of WNBA franchises not owned by an NBA team owner.
Though the bid is still in its early stages and lacks formal structure, billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman are co-leading the effort. According to Sportico, one possible venue for the WNBA team is Chaifetz Arena, which has a capacity of 10,600 seats and is home to St. Louis University basketball.
In a presentation aimed at attracting additional investors, the group highlights the city’s basketball legacy, which traces back to the 1958 NBA champion St. Louis Hawks, along with St. Louis’s strong support for MLB, NHL, and college sports.
Over a dozen candidate cities are expected to compete for the opportunity, with some estimates suggesting the chosen city could pay upwards of $200 million for the franchise slot.
Reportedly, other cities such as Denver, CO; Miami, FL; Milwaukee, WI; Kansas City, MO; and Philadelphia, PA, have also emerged as contenders for the expansion team.
Tatum has consistently focused on his connection to St. Louis since his high school days at Chaminade College Preparatory School. He holds an endorsement deal with local eatery Imo’s Pizza and sports numerous tattoos representing the city.
“The good news is we have a lot of demand from many cities,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said before the finals, per Sportico. “I’d say 10 or so, maybe even plus at this point, because I think the more people are watching the WNBA and seeing what we’re growing here and seeing these players and the product on the court, more people are interested in having it in their cities.”
Tatum, whom the Celtics drafted in the 2017 NBA Draft, has established himself as a savvy businessman, with the help of his mother, Brandy Cole. He credits her with his budgeting skills, as she manages his finances.
To prioritize his best interests, Tatum’s mother made a deal with him to ensure he would live off his endorsement income rather than his Celtics contract earnings—a plan also supported by his accountant.
Together, the mother-son duo is exploring various business opportunities. As AFROTECH™ reported, their efforts have been successful, with Tatum securing endorsement deals with well-known brands like Jordan Brand, Gatorade, Subway, NBA 2K and Ruffles, earning him $13 million.
“My mom is like the overseer, right? Everything goes through her,” Tatum previously shared, as reported by AFROTECH™.
