“I think the whole league should have been on the cover.” Appearing on CNN, Sheila Johnson told anchor Amanda Davies that while Clark’s spotlight is well-deserved, the entire WNBA deserves recognition for the league’s growth. Caitlin Clark’s rise to the cover of Time magazine has sparked plenty of conversation, and the latest to weigh in is Washington Mystics co-owner Sheila Johnson.

So who is this lady, who is able to represent the whole league while questioning the focus on one player rather than the collective success of the league? Here is everything you need to know about the powerhouse behind the Mystics.

Sheila Crump Johnson was born on January 25, 1949, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, into a family where achievement was highly valued. Her father, a neurosurgeon for the Veterans Administration, and her mother, an accountant, instilled in her a deep commitment to excellence.

Johnson went on to attend the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, before embarking on a career that would see her become a billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist. She co-founded Black Entertainment Television (BET) in 1979 with her then-husband, Robert, an achievement that would forever alter the landscape of cable TV and African American media.

After Viacom purchased BET for $3 billion in 2001, Johnson sold her shares, marking the beginning of her successful ventures into hospitality, real estate, and sports.

Sheila Johnson: The pioneering wizard behind the Mystics success

In 2005, Johnson founded Salamander Hotels and Resorts. A company that now boasts a luxury portfolio including the Salamander Resort & Spa in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Reunion Resort in Florida, and Half Moon in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Through Salamander, Johnson has not only built a thriving business empire but also cultivated a brand synonymous with luxury and exclusivity.

Yet Johnson’s influence extends far beyond business in the hospitality industry. She is also a vice chairman and partner at Monumental Sports & Entertainment, due to which she owns stakes in the WNBA’s Washington Mystics, the NBA’s Washington Wizards, and the NHL’s Washington Capitals.

This also makes Sheila Johnson the only black woman to own shares in all three leagues, according to Forbes.

Her commitment to philanthropy is equally notable. As a Global Ambassador for CARE, a humanitarian organization fighting global poverty, Johnson spearheaded the “I Am Powerful Challenge,” which raised over $8 million to empower women in combating poverty in 2007.

She also supports various educational and cultural initiatives, including being the current trustee and formerly serving as chair of the Board of Governors at Parsons The New School for Design. Johnson’s ability to juggle such diverse interests—from business to philanthropy to sports—makes her one of the best in the business world

Beyond her business and philanthropic endeavors, Johnson has earned numerous accolades, including the Lincoln Medal in 2018 and the Billie Jean King Leadership Award in 2019. These honors speak to her far-reaching influence, not just in business but in championing the causes she believes in.

At 75, Sheila Johnson continues to reshape industries, break new ground, and lead by example. Her vision for the Mystics and her broader commitment to women’s sports remains a testament to her belief in empowerment, both on and off the court. Through her investments, her voice in the sports world, and her ongoing charitable work, Johnson proves that her influence will continue to be felt for years to come.