Monday December 4, 2023

Durant, WNBA Stars Continue Streak of Women’s Sports Investments

Angel McCoughtry/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Kevin Durant and a growing number of well-known athletes see potential in women’s sports — and they’re investing to make it known. 

The former NBA MVP and Rich Kleiman’s Thirty Five Ventures is among a group of investors in a star-studded $3.5 million seed funding round for media platform Just Women’s Sports.

Other investors include Drive by DraftKings, OVO Fund, and Supernode Global, as well as WNBA athletes Arike Ogunbowale and Elene Delle Donne, PWHPA player Hilary Knight, and USWNT star Kelley O’Hara. The round was led by Will Ventures.

Durant is also on the advisory board for Athletes Unlimited, which is set to launch women’s professional indoor volleyball and softball leagues later this year.

Like Durant, Alex Ovechkin, Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams are also investing in women’s sports. Each has recently bought into National Women’s Soccer League teams, adding to several recent business moves by and for women across sports.

  • In March, Alex Morgan, Sue Bird, Simone Manuel and Chloe Kim launched TOGETHXR, a sports and lifestyle company for women.
  • After growing its newsletter revenue by more than 1,000% in the past year, the GIST raised $1 million in an April seed round.
  • Earlier this month, the WNBA, along with ESPN, announced a three-year partnership with Google that’s focused on bringing more viewers to women’s sports.

“Just Women’s Sports is creating a much-needed platform centered around game and player highlights and analysis that shows fans exactly how good these players are and why they’re worth watching,” said Durant.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Women's Sports Revenue Set to Hit $1B In 2024

A new report predicts record revenue in 2024.

Streaming Might Be The Future, But Over-The-Air Sports Aren't Going Away

Sports broadcasts are experiencing a major shift in how fans consume them.
Oct 5, 2023; San Francisco, CA, USA; WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert makes opening remarks during a press conference to announce an expansion WNBA franchise in the San Francisco Bay Area at Chase Center.

Why the WNBA Pulled Out of Portland

The WNBA's explanation for why they pulled out of Portland raises questions.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Selection Turns Heads with Controversial Selection

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

Ohtani's Future Deal Takes Center Stage As Winter Meetings Kick Off

The two-way phenom is expected to sign the largest-ever player contract in U.S. team sports.
November 30, 2023

Tracking Devices and Bags of Cash: A Soccer Scandal in Turkey

Former Atletico Madrid player Arda Turan is involved in the scandal.
Shaquille O'Neal
exclusive
December 1, 2023

A.I. Shaq? Authentic Files Trademarks Hinting at Virtual Shaquille O’Neal

Shaquille O’Neal and licensing group claim “ASK SHAQ” and “SHAQ A.I.”
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
November 30, 2023

Ronaldo Sued For $1B In Latest Fallout From Athlete Crypto Deals

Soccer superstar latest to be hit in legal fallout from crypto decline.
Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen of The Netherlands celebrates his victory of the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 30, 2023

The 10 Highest-Paid Formula 1 Drivers For 2023

Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen tops the list with $70 million.
Inter Miami CF forward Lionel Messi smiles as he walks on the field against the New York Red Bulls during the second half at Red Bull Arena.
November 16, 2023

The Results of Messi Mania Are In

A million people per match tuned in for Messi and Inter Miami.
Rory McIlroy reacts to his putt on the third green during the third round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club.
November 15, 2023

Rory McIlroy Resigns From PGA Tour Policy Board

The 34-year-old served on the Board for two years.