A Bold New Chapter for Women’s Sports
USC basketball star JuJu Watkins has stepped into sports ownership at just 20 years old. She has become the first college athlete ever to directly invest in a professional women’s sports team, joining the investor group behind Boston Legacy FC — a new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion club.
Her decision marks a major turning point in how student-athletes use their growing influence and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) power. “Boston Legacy FC is creating a space for women to achieve, lead, and inspire others at the highest level,” Watkins said. “I’m proud to be part of the movement pushing women’s sports forward.”
Joining an Elite Group of Investors
Watkins now stands alongside an impressive lineup of investors that includes WNBA star Aliyah Boston, NFL quarterback Caleb Williams, Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, and actress Elizabeth Banks. Boston Legacy FC will officially kick off in 2026, as the NWSL expands to 16 teams nationwide.
Team owner Jennifer Epstein called Watkins’s investment a defining moment for women’s sports. “As the first college athlete to directly invest in a women’s professional sports team, she’s showing that today’s student-athletes aren’t just building their own brands — they’re shaping the future of the game,” Epstein said.
A Rising Star On and Off the Court
Before taking this ownership leap, Watkins had already built an extraordinary resume in college basketball. The USC guard won the Naismith College Player of the Year, the John R. Wooden Award, and the AP Player of the Year as a sophomore.
Although she will miss the 2025-26 season due to an ACL injury, Watkins remains one of the most influential athletes in women’s sports. Her NIL valuation is estimated at $739,000, ranking second in women’s college basketball. Her growing endorsement portfolio includes partnerships with Fanatics and Unrivaled, a new 3-on-3 league featuring WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
Redefining What’s Possible for Student-Athletes
Watkins’s move into ownership goes beyond traditional endorsement deals. It reflects a larger cultural and financial shift in college athletics, where top athletes are choosing to invest in equity and legacy.
By joining the ownership circle of a professional women’s team, she’s proving that athletes can influence the game’s structure, not just play it. Watkins’s decision embodies a powerful message for young women — that leadership and ownership are within reach, even before going pro.
As Boston Legacy FC prepares for its first season in 2026, Watkins’s investment shines as a symbol of progress — for women, for college athletes, and for the business of sports itself.
