• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 6, 2025

Alibaba Billionaire, Supermodel Headline New Liberty Investors

The New York Liberty received a capital infusion that values the franchise at $450 million from a group that includes Alibaba’s Jack Ma, supermodel Karlie Kloss, and more.

May 17, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; The New York Liberty are introduced prior to the game against the Las Vegas Aces at Barclays Center.
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The New York Liberty keep winning. The defending WNBA champions have brought on a number of notable investors, from Alibaba founder and billionaire Jack Ma to supermodel Karlie Kloss.

The investment values the franchise at $450 million and represents a record valuation for a professional women’s sports franchise, Front Office Sports confirmed last week. The investors are putting money into just the Liberty, not the Brooklyn Nets or BSE Global, the holding company that owns the Liberty, Nets, and Barclays Center, a source familiar with the matter tells FOS.

In addition to Ma and Kloss, the group includes Karen Finerman, CEO of hedge fund Metropolitan Capital and a well-known panelist on CNBC’s Fast Money; Thasunda Brown Duckett, president and CEO of retirement- and investment-focused financial services organization TIAA; Gabrielle Rubenstein, cofounder of private-equity firm Manna Tree and daughter of PE giant and Orioles owner David Rubenstein; and Samantha Lasry, who primarily focuses on philanthropic work and is the daughter of billionaire investor Marc Lasry, who previously owned the Milwaukee Bucks.

The money will be put toward the development of a recently announced $80 million, 75,000-square-foot practice facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, which is expected to open in 2027. 

Jack Ma and Joe Tsai, majority owner of the Nets, have a history investing together, including through Blue Pool Capital. That’s Tsai’s family office, which also reportedly oversees some of Ma’s fortune (Ma has a nearly $40 billion net worth, according to Bloomberg). Blue Pool has invested in sneaker and apparel company Golden Goose, as well as media platform Just Women’s Sports and Premier League Lacrosse.

In Tuesday’s statement, Tsai, who is alternate governor for the Liberty, described Ma as a “trusted business partner.”

“He is a passionate supporter of women’s sports and I know he is excited to help us build an enduring franchise,” Tsai said.

Kloss has become quite the investor in recent years, with a portfolio that includes mmERCH, a fashion start-up that creates one-of-a-kind clothing items using generative artificial intelligence, as well Arcade, another generative-AI-powered company that lets users order personalized products like jewelry and home goods.

The Liberty investment must still be approved by the WNBA’s board of governors, a time frame for which was not disclosed.

Ma and Kloss aren’t the first high-profile investors to join the Liberty ownership group recently. Last year, Julia Koch, the widow of David Koch—who owned a majority stake in Koch Industries—bought a minority stake in BSE. Terms of that agreement were not disclosed, but Sportico reported the deal was for a 15% stake in BSE, and that it valued BSE at $6 billion.

All the investment news comes as the Liberty’s majority owners, Joe and Clara Wu Tsai, strive to keep increasing the team’s value, with an ultimate goal of hitting a $1 billion valuation by the mid-2030s, according to a recent Bloomberg report.

The Liberty, which Tuesday night play expansion franchise the Golden State Valkyries, are off to a 3–0 start this season.

Representatives for the individual investors did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Liberty declined to comment further than what was included in the press release.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Napheesa Collier

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Caitlin Clark
exclusive

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark Backs Napheesa Collier in Fight With WNBA

Clark had her exit interview on Thursday after an injury-riddled season. 

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Ballers in Philadelphia
exclusive

Backer of SlamBall, Ballers Armed With $150M for New Fund

The fund will offer sports and entertainment companies deals that don’t involve equity.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of several premier sponsors for the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, as seen on Stadium 2 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., on March 14, 2024.
September 30, 2025

The Australian Soccer Player Running Saudi PIF’s SURJ Sports

SURJ Sports CEO Danny Townsend says there is “genuine commitment” to social change.
Blake Bortles appears set to exit Jacksonville with a career 24-49 record.
October 1, 2025

Private Equity’s Sports Push Has Entered Overdrive

Athletes like Blake Bortles and Rob Gronkowski are diving into sports investing.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
September 30, 2025

Jozy Altidore: Becoming an NFL Owner Is Like Going Back to School

Altidore owns stakes in the Bills and the NWSL’s Bay FC.
Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) completes a pass during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium.
September 25, 2025

Patriots Become Fourth NFL Team to Add Private-Equity Investor

The minority stake sales value the team at more than $9 billion.
Napoli Basketball
September 25, 2025

Napoli Basketball, Campobasso Owner Charts Conglomerate Plan

Matt Rizzetta’s new corporate entity will house multiple pro teams and real estate assets.
Shaedon Sharpe
September 24, 2025

RAJ Sports Sues Over Sale of Blazers Minority Stake

The Kings minority owners claim the Cherng Family Trust breached an agreement.