U.S. celebrities, including Shiffrin and Magic Johnson, are entering the realm of women's sports through investments.
Revamped Take:
Ready to dive in? The surge of investment in women's sports in the US is nothing short of phenomenal! With increasingly captivated viewers, more lucrative TV deals, and a greater spotlight on women athletes, this industry is practically exploding.
A recent statistical crunch by Deloitte reveals the trend continuing in 2025, not just in the US, but globally. It's all about the dollars, baby! However, while the men's sports market is swimming in sponsorships and TV deals, the women's side is still heavily reliant on investment.
Let's talk stars. Recently, skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin announced her entry into the football business in her home state Colorado—basically the coolest homecoming ever! And Shiffrin ain't the first to dash into the women's sports scene. In March 2022, tennis superstar Serena Williams and basketball pro Sabrina Ionescu became co-owners of sports teams, the former investing in the Toronto Tempo and the latter in Bay FC.
This is far from a solo gig. Basketball legend Sue Bird, partner of football rockstar Megan Rapinoe, owns shares in Seattle Storm (basketball) and Gotham FC (football). Plus, tennis whizzes Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka are all about supporting women's sports too—the latter even bought into the football club North Carolina Courage in 2021.
On the male front, it's game on! NFL legend Tom Brady, NBA icon Magic Johnson, and baseball player Alex Rodriguez have all shown their support through investments. NBA stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry have recently announced plans to invest in the women's basketball league WNBA.
As Serena Williams put it, it's not just about winning on the court. It's about showcasing the worth and potential of female athletes. Women's sports is, quite simply, one heck of an investment opportunity.
With increasing attention, infrastructure, medical care, and competitiveness, the game is all but equal for female athletes—in terms of play, not just opportunity. This equals greater visibility, mind you! And that ain't all: the low-hanging fruit for growth isn't just ripe, it's gone ripe!
Take a look at recent numbers: in 2025, 67% of Americans are forecasted to follow at least one women's sport, pushing past the 55% in 2022. And those numbers equal dough—over $1 billion in commercial revenue in 2024, with projected earnings reaching $2.35 billion in 2025, representing a staggering 240% rise in the past four years!
Investors and athletes alike are smelling the opportunity, fueling the growth of this business. And this is just the beginning, folks! With strategic investments, dedicated infrastructure, and media rights deals setting the stage, this market is set for transformative growth.
Ready to ride the wave? Jump on in—the water's fine!
- The athletes are not only captivating viewers with their skills but also attracting unrivaled finance from businesses invested in sports, as seen in 2024 when viewership of women's sports surged and commercial revenue reached over $1 billion.
- Deloitte's recent analysis predicts this trend will continue globally in 2025, indicating a promising business environment for sports investors.
- In 2022, tennis superstar Serena Williams and basketball pro Sabrina Ionescu joined forces by co-owning sports teams, while skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin entered the football business in Colorado.
- With support from basketball legend Sue Bird, football rockstar Megan Rapinoe, tennis whizzes Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, and various male athlete investors like Tom Brady, Magic Johnson, and Alex Rodriguez, women's sports business is set for transformative growth.
- As the incomes and viewership numbers indicate, sports fans are flocking towards women's sports—with 67% of Americans forecasted to follow at least one women's sport in 2025, signaling significant financial potential for this market.