via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Serena Williams of the United States shows her emotion to the crowd after winning her Women’s Singles semi-final match against Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine on day eleven of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Serena Williams of the United States shows her emotion to the crowd after winning her Women’s Singles semi-final match against Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine on day eleven of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 05, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
It was really a big thing when Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian joined Angel City FC as investors back in 2020. Angel City FC is a team that plays in the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) and has seen many big names be part of the team.
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The team made its debut in 2022 and, despite finishing 8th in the NSWL and failing to qualify for the Championship, the team still looked like a strong contender. This was due in large part to the attention the team grabbed from fans.
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 29, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; The Angel City FC ownership group poses for a photo before the game against the North Carolina Courage at Banc of California Stadium. Angel City FC won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
As the new season approaches, Angel City FC is gearing up for the ACFC draft on January 12th. Fans are excited about the possibilities of who they might draft. The top contender is 18-year-old Alyssa Thompson.
Angel City FC receives the No. 1 pick
Just one week before the draft, Angel City FC acquired the No. 1 pick in the NWSL Draft 2023 in a 3-team trade involving Kevin Durant’s Gotham FC and Portland Thorns. Angel City made this move possible by acquiring midfielder Yazmeen Ryan from the Thorns. In exchange, they gave up their 2023 first-round pick, their 2024 second-round top pick, and allocation money. Once they had Ryan, they quickly sent her and $250k to NJ/NY Gotham FC in exchange for the top pick.
The top spot is ours! 💪#AngelCityFC trades for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft.
Read more: https://t.co/IwFv3E0KFZ pic.twitter.com/zHgOcihZiR— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) January 5, 2023
This is a massive boost for the team, which is targeting the 18-year-old sensation, Alyssa Thompson. Alyssa made her debut for the US National Team back in October 2022 and is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in the game. Angel City FC will be hoping to add her to an already strong squad. This is a huge coup for Angel City FC. They will be looking to make a serious push for the NWSL title in 2023.
Serena Williams and Kevin Durant investing in women’s soccer
Serena Williams, who has been a part of the sports world for over two decades now, decided to take her shot at investing in women’s soccer when she became a part of Angel City FC in 2020. In doing so, she joined the small but growing list of celebrities who have invested in the sport.
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Kevin Durant is another big name that decided to invest in women’s soccer. In 2022, Kevin Durant’s investment company of thirty-five ventures became investors in the NWSL club Nj/NY Gotham FC.
Let’s get it @GothamFC https://t.co/Mbpdfshdio
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) May 4, 2022
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This is a huge accomplishment because it helps to show that there is a future for women’s soccer. With such big names investing in the sport, it is only a matter of time before it becomes more popular in the United States.
Watch This Story: Danica Patrick Was Kept in Same Bracket as Serena Williams and Cristiano Ronaldo for Prestigious Honor Back in 2018
