Sabrina Ionescu competes Bay FC Ownership Group: It's 'like a Pinch-Me-Moment'

Sabrina Ionescu competes Bay FC Ownership Group: It's 'like a Pinch-Me-Moment'

Posted by enzo2go March 4, 2025

The last 12 months for Sabrina Ionescu have been like a movie.

Last February she highlighted the NBA All-Star stage in a one-to-one-3 point shootout along with her role model and friend Steph Curry from the Golden State Warriors. In June, the Sabrina 2 fell off, the second edition of its characteristic Nike shoe – hugged by men and feminine hoopers. In August she won a gold medal on the 2024 Olympics in Paris. In October she won a WNBA championship at New York Liberty, a run with an epic 3 pointer in game 3.

Now she is a team owner. Ionescu is the youngest investor in Bay FC, the NWSL franchise in her home area.

“I have the feeling that I was in the high school not too long ago and played in this community,” said Ionescu. “When I look back and take into consideration how young I’m and the way quickly every little thing got here, it's pretty crazy. Especially on this page to be an investor in knowledgeable league. Many people do it a lot later of their profession. So that I’m a part of the business side of things so early, I believe that it by some means prepares me for the longer term.

“Now to influence a franchise, it's pretty crazy to give it some thought. It is sort of a Pinch-me moment and clearly very humble. “

Ionescu becomes an investor in Bay FC because she comes from. The Bay Area. The pride of the Miramonte High School. And with an apology to the freedom, the hope of many, the face of the new Valkyries of the Golden State.

Ionescu also takes on the role of Bay FC's official commercial consultant, which makes sense due to its place in this modern landscape of sports and business that exhausts space for women. Your wish to help with the help of Bay FC maximizes the potential for the NWSL squad of the Bay Area.

Conceptively, it’s a great marriage. A superstar from the Bay Area, which follows the Bay Area franchise within the mixture of the changing landscape of the Bay Area Sports. After Bay FC was founded, the Valkyries come, and even the Oakland soul – the Usl W -League – this region is increasingly growing a flexibility of the livelihood of ladies's sports.

Bay FC, which arrange the NWSL record with 11 victories of an expansion club and reached the playoffs in its first season, ended the highest three within the league and No. 1 in goods sales. After he sold his home start last March and created a moment within the history of the Bay Area, it was a gradual climb.

“It was pretty cool to be seen,” said Ionescu, “just a native of Bay Area native and see how many season tickets they sold.” Seeing 18,000 people on the Home Opener was crazy. There are so many things within the Bay Area, in order that they really understand (that was an exhibition of) how many individuals really need to see women's sports. “

Adding Ionescu to possession – together with Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, Andrew Luck and Manu Ginobili – indicates the growth potential. A young pioneer is now in the mix. College basketball phenomenon has turned into a large dog.

Ionescu was the first women's basketball player to have a unisex signature collection with Nike. Sabrina 2 was worn out the most under current basketball shoes throughout the NBA. She was also looked after and validated by the late Kobe Bryant.

“If someone like Sabrina attracts more attention,” said Jen Millet, COO from Bay FC. “The news sends that this is a real thing. It grows. It is important. We are on a rocket ship. And if you get in and are part of it, you will go to Over-Index. You will match whatever your investment is. This is a big win. It mainly comes into its heyday. It is youthful. It is in the upswing. We are in the upswing. “

This is just the start of Ionescus growing stature within the Bay area. A pillar is ready up in these parts: with its strong roots in the neighborhood; with curry as a job model; And now with The foundation of Bay FC Four than her colleagues. And perhaps someday – she is an unrestricted free agent after this WNBA season – Center calls her home.

Sabrina Ionescu


“18,000 people at the Home Open were crazy,” said Sabrina Ionescu about Bay FC's debut last March. “… you really understand how many people really want to watch the sports of women.” (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)

Ionescu brings one other paradigm. One wherein Baller Baller and Sports are and wherein quality is more necessary than identity.

It was one among the weather that strengthen the demands of Bay FC's potential. Brands that were previously only connected to women's sports to look good not should do these overtures. Those who spend money on women's sports do increasingly more because they consider in his promise.

Part of Ionescu's Bay Area Legacy will help change this paradigm. Where the sport recognizes the sport.

“It was fun to finally see how everyone else gets to see that,” said Ionescu. “These are all such monumental moments in what’s now going down in the remaining of society to provide people their flowers, no matter whether it’s a women's sport or not. There were so many steps that folks have taken and continued to do that to create this equality amongst sports. It is fun to see the purpose we are actually, nevertheless it is much more exciting to see where to go. We scratch the surface, where we wish to go together with regard to salary, respect, viewership and sponsorship. “

Ionescu has not yet made her debut in San Joses PayPal Park for a game. This will probably happen next month when Bay FC starts its 2025 NWSL campaign. But it is officially like a referee whistle. Stamped with the swingest seal. A letter jacket, luxurious thick. Marine blau like the Peacoat of a Longhoreman with white rooms and a white old English B on the left breast. And BayFC on the back.

It is coveted goods in these parts. It is only handed over to Franchise and VIPs investors. Ionescu is both.

“Of course I actually have my jacket,” she beamed. “You know I actually have one.”



image credit : www.nytimes.com

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