Jimmy Butler Invests in San Diego Wave FC
NBA star Jimmy Butler has become a minority โinvestor in theโ San Diego Wave FC of the Nationalโค Women’s Soccer Leagueโ (NWSL). The announcement comes after the levine Leichtman family completed โคtheir acquisition of the wave in October 2024, valuing theโค club at $120 million.Former โฃprincipal owner Ron Burkle founded the club in 2021.
Butler, currently playing for the Golden State Warriors after previous stints โwith theโค Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota โTimberwolves, and Chicagoโ Bulls over a 14-year NBA career, โdescribed San Diego as a city โค”close too my heart” and stated that soccer hasโ been a “passion” ofโค his since attending the men’s final at the 2016 Rioโค Olympics.
“Being part of the game in โคa meaningful โขway has always been a dream,” Butler said in a press release. “I’m โขproud to invest in a club that isโฃ pushing boundaries, building something lasting, and setting โa new standard for what women’s sports canโข be both onโฃ and off the pitch.”
He joins former โคU.S.women’s national team forward Alex Morgan as a minority investor in the Wave, with Morgan joining โขthe investment group in may 2024.
Lauren Leichtman, controlling owner of the Wave, stated, “Jimmy is a competitor and visionary who shares our values and our ambition to grow this club.He brings a globalโ perspective, โa โdeep respect forโ theโฃ athlete’s journey, and a creative spirit that perfectly complements what we are building here at Wave FC.”
The investment follows a successful weekend for the Wave, who secured a place in the NWSL playoffs with a 6-1 win over the Chicago Stars.โฃ Butler also founded the coffee lifestyle brand BIGFACE and owns โproperty in California. The Wave recently signed Dudinha, who contributed a brace and an assist in the playoff-clinching victory over Chicago.