The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) is rapidly growing, and investors like Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman are taking notice.
Through Thirty Five Ventures (35V), the business partners have become minority investors of NJ/NY Gotham FC, Boardroom reports.
The Investment
35V’s investment in the club falls in line with its dedication to supporting women athletes. It marks its second investment in a professional soccer team — the first being Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.
The VC firm has also tapped into what the future holds for Gotham FC.
“As a New York-based company, the opportunity for us to partner with a forward-thinking team like Gotham FC was a no-brainer,” said Kleiman, according to Boardroom. “There’s been so much growth in the NWSL in recent years, and the chance to be a part of that growth and work directly with the Gotham FC executive team and players is really exciting.”
According to the outlet, the investment “encompasses content creation, social media support, player relations, and community outreach.”
A Statement From Gotham FC’s Managing Owner Ed Nalbandian:
“This is another big step forward for our franchise. Kevin and Rich are two of the most influential people in sports, and their work in the business and entertainment world and their significant investment in Gotham FC illustrates the potential of our club. They will be tremendous resources to the club across multiple areas, and we’re excited to welcome them to the Gotham FC family.”
Investing In Women's Soccer
In February, Gabrielle Union and her daughter Kaavia James Union Wade invested in Angel City Football Club — “one of the most celebrity-filled ownership groups in all of pro sports” — for its Series A funding round.
As previously reported by AfroTech, the news made the three-year-old the youngest owner in professional sports.
