Sabrina Ionescu is making power moves beyond basketball, and if this latest one feels familiar, that’s because it is. Over a decade after LeBron James turned a smart soccer investment into a multi-million-dollar win, the New York Liberty star is following the same blueprint—but with a twist. The Bay Area native isn’t just cheering for women’s soccer—she’s putting skin in the game.

Ionescu has officially joined Bay FC as an investor and partnership advisor. Kendra Andrews broke the news on X: “NEWS: Sabrina Ionescu is joining Bay FC as an investor and partnership advisor. ‘I want to invest, but I want it to be more than just transactional,’ she told ESPN.”

Ionescu made it clear she’s all in, posting, “Let’s goooooo.”

“I’ve had a lot of experience in the Bay Area—it’s become home and it’s become family,” Iguodala told the crowd at Bay FC’s launch event last year. “We’re going to do this thing right, and I’m going to see you at many games.” And she’s not doing it alone. Four-time NBA champion Andre Iguodala is also backing Bay FC as one of the investors.

Ionescu and Iguodala are joining a growing wave of basketball stars investing in soccer. LeBron bought a 2% stake in Liverpool FC for $6.5M in 2011, and by 2020, that investment had ballooned past $40M. Angel Reese followed suit last year, becoming a co-owner of DC Power FC in the newly formed USL Super League while starting her WNBA career with the Chicago Sky.

Ionescu is running the same play—but this time, she’s betting on the explosive growth of women’s sports. Born in Walnut Creek, she built her basketball legacy at Miramonte High before dominating at Oregon. Now, she’s bringing that same mindset to soccer, positioning herself as a key figure in the business of women’s sports.

Bay FC, a second-year NWSL club, sees Ionescu as more than an investor. Her impact on sports marketing is undeniable. Her unisex Nike sneaker, the Sabrina 2s, is already a top choice in the NBA. In February, her shoes ranked second among the most worn by NBA players. They even surpassed those of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker. LeBron’s signature shoes didn’t make the top 10. Ionescu’s sneakers saw nearly 2,000 more minutes of play than Booker’s, who ranked sixth.

That kind of crossover appeal is exactly what Bay FC is banking on.“Sabrina is the ultimate innovator and creates new pathways for aspiring and current professional athletes,” Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart said. The club wants to be a global powerhouse, and adding Ionescu strengthens that mission.

LeBron turned a calculated soccer bet into a massive financial and branding win. Now, Ionescu is taking that same blueprint, flipping it to focus on women’s sports, and making her mark in the Bay Area.

Sabrina Ionescu: More Than an Investor, a Game-Changer for Bay FC

Sabrina Ionescu is not just investing—she’s rolling up her sleeves to help the club’s commercial strategy and guide players on brand deals.

“I want to invest, but I want it to be more than just transactional,” Ionescu told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. “I want to build relationships with the team and players and use what I’ve learned on the business side to help with their brand partnerships.”

She knows a thing or two about endorsements. Drafted by the New York Liberty in 2020, Ionescu has become one of the WNBA’s most marketable athletes. She has earned over $500,000 in salary, but most of her money comes from endorsement deals with brands like Nike. Her estimated net worth is around $1 million in 2024.

Bay FC CEO Brady Stewart is pumped about the partnership, calling Ionescu the “ultimate innovator.” “Her roots in the Bay Area and commitment to growing women’s sports are exactly what Bay FC is about,” Stewart said. “We’re excited to work with her to build something big.”

Women’s soccer is growing fast, and Bay FC wants to be a major player. Ionescu’s role is about more than just boosting the club’s brand—she’s focused on helping the players, making sure they land solid endorsement deals and set themselves up for long-term financial success.