This last year has seen an explosion in women’s sports gaining more notoriety and visibility than ever — extending to media coverage, brand partnerships, and game attendance and viewership. But just as exciting is the fact that there are so many women behind the growth and investment of professional sports through team ownership. From the WNBA to the NWSL, women owners are leaving their mark — shifting the power dynamics of leadership and increasing the cultural influence of women athletes on and off the court.
To date, we’ve seen a range of women business executives, celebrities, and former athletes step into ownership roles — from tennis icon Serena Williams announcing her ownership of WNBA expansion team the Toronto Tempo, to Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang investing $25 million in women’s soccer earlier this year, to Olympic runner Colleen Quigley launching Meridia, a professional women’s track team.
“By investing in infrastructure that meets — and exceeds — the bar set by top men’s clubs, we are showing the world that women’s [sports] has earned its rightful place on the world stage,” said Kang in a recent press release.
To showcase the impact this kind of investment can have on the world of women’s sports, sat down with several owners to get their thoughts on what it means to own a women’s sports team today, what trends they see emerging, and how women leadership can change the culture of professional sports for the better.
Popsugar: What does it mean to be a woman owner right now?
Lisa Bhathal Merage, owner of the NWSL’s Portland Thorns and the WNBA’s Portland Fire: For me, it’s more than a role — it’s what I consider my purpose. Together with our leadership team, we’re building a powerful sports ecosystem here in Portland, the global epicenter of women’s sports, where athletes can thrive, and the community can rally around something greater than the game. We already have a three-time championship team in the Portland Thorns, and the launch of the Portland Fire is the buzz of the league right now.
“It wasn’t long ago that people saw investing in women’s soccer as a charity, not a real investment. Now, an investment in women’s sports feels like one of the smartest, most high-upside opportunities available.”
Colleen Quigley, owner of professional track team Meridia: Now is the time! It feels like the world is our oyster and we can feel free to do our thing and shout it from the rooftops! There will always be a few haters, but overall, the vibes are high and I’m excited to continue to grow this team and share our stories with the world, creating the best community of people who are along with us for the ride.
Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, owner of the NWSL’s Gotham FC: It wasn’t long ago that people saw investing in women’s soccer as a charity, not a real investment. Now, an investment in women’s sports feels like one of the smartest, most high-upside opportunities available.
: How was your identity as a woman shaped your leadership and decision making?
CTB: I’ve spent much of my career being one of the only — or one of the first — women at the table. That was true during my early days at Peloton, where I helped build a brand in an industry that wasn’t used to putting women at the center. And it’s just as true now as a sports team owner, where leadership is predominantly male, even when the athletes on the field are not. Those experiences have shaped my leadership, always rooting my decision-making in my values. I’ve learned to trust my instincts, even when it’s difficult, to speak up even when it’s uncomfortable, and to bring others along — especially women — because I know how lonely it can feel to be the only one.
LBM: Everything we do is filtered through the female lens. Our athletes are at the center of every decision we make, and we’re committed to building infrastructure that’s not just inclusive of women in sport, but designed specifically for them. I remember one of our first meetings with the architects and builders. I was one of the only women at the table and I knew my role was to challenge the norm. Traditional locker rooms and showers that have served men for decades might not be what women want or need. So, we asked the questions. We pushed back. And we reimagined what this space could be. We also brought our athletes into the process. From the dressing rooms to finishes, paint colors, and even carpet choices, their voices helped shape this space. I feel confident that we’ve questioned the status quo in men’s sports to create something truly groundbreaking for women.
:How has women’s ownership changed the landscape of leadership and sports culture across professional sports?
LBM: Female ownership is changing the game literally and culturally. We were at the WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis this past July, just days after we launched the Portland Fire name and brand, and the momentum was electric. We connected with team presidents, GMs, coaches, former players, league staff, influencers, and of course, the Commissioner herself. So many of them offered support, shared insights, and made themselves available. That’s the culture women are building in sports . . . one of collaboration, shared purpose, and lifting as we climb. Female ownership brings a different lens to leadership, one that especially values community.
CQ: Speaking to my own experience, one thing that I noticed the first time I went to an Angel City FC game was the way the stadium felt as I was watching the game and walking around the concourse getting food. The fans are happy and jovial. People say, “excuse me” and “sorry” if they accidentally bump into you on the busy concourse. It’s so different from the atmosphere at male sports games, which to me feels angrier and more aggressive. I can only imagine this comes from leadership of the teams, as leaders at every level set the tone for the environment they lead in. You go to a women’s pro sports game, and you can tell — there’s something intangible, but so positive about the experience.
: With the rise of women owners from diverse backgrounds, many former athletes — what trends or shifts are you seeing in how their experiences have influenced your approach to leadership, investment, and fan engagement?
CTB: We’re seeing owners — especially women and former athletes — focus less on traditional models of success and more on storytelling, access, and building long-term authentic relationships with fans. It’s not just about growing viewership; it’s about growing emotional investment. And to understand that, you needed to have walked a mile in [the shoes of] the people who came before. We’re building something that reflects the values of a new generation of leaders and fans: community, purpose, and pride. Younger females with star power sitting in the ownership group gives us a lot of strength in trying to achieve these goals.
Editor’s note: Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.
Ralinda Wattsis an author, diversity expert, consultant, practitioner, speaker, and proven thought leader who works at the intersection of race, identity, culture, and justice. She has contributed to numerous publications such as , CBS Media, Medium, YahooLifestyle, and the Los Angeles Times.