Women’s professional sports are entering a new era of growth and private equity pioneer Lauren Leichtman, along with her daughter Sabrina Leichtman-Levine, is helping lead the charge. Their family office recently made history with a $113 million purchase of the San Diego Wave FC, marking the highest valuation in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) to date. Their investment signals confidence in the growing business of women’s sports and a belief in its long-term potential.
The Bold Move: Investment in Women’s Soccer
Lauren Leichtman co-founded Levine Leichtman Capital Partners in 1984. She became the world’s first female private equity billionaire. Now, she brings that same strategic mindset to sports ownership. Together with her daughter, she’s combining sharp business discipline and genuine passion. Their goal is not quick profit but a lasting legacy, for players, fans, and the community. Moreover, this move mirrors a larger trend of women investing in women’s sports not just as supporters, but as serious business leaders.
Previous Title Holders: A Legacy of Achievement
The NWSL, home to top players and World Cup champions, continues to break records in attendance and viewership. Its success is part of a broader legacy of women’s soccer excellence, from the U.S. Women’s National Team’s multiple world titles to the rising global leagues inspired by them. But the Leichtman family’s investment takes that legacy a step further by treating women’s sports as a profitable, purpose-driven business, not a charity effort.
Impact on the NWSL and Beyond
The Wave’s record-breaking valuation is setting a new benchmark across the NWSL and beyond. With new resources, the team plans to develop a state-of-the-art community and training facility in San Diego, serving over 200,000 youth soccer players. This commitment to infrastructure and community connection shows how women’s sports ownership is evolving, combining profit with purpose to build enduring value.
Numbers Speak: Growing Interest and Viewership
Women’s sports are booming. Deloitte projects global women’s sports revenue to reach $2.4 billion by 2025, up from $692 million in 2022. Soccer leads that expansion, fueled by media deals with CBS, ESPN, Prime Video, and Scripps Sports, whose average annual value has jumped roughly 40-fold compared to prior contracts. Investors like Leichtman are seizing the opportunity while the audience and sponsor base continue to surge.
A Catalyst for Change: Fostering Equality in Sports
Women like Leichtman are changing how investment in sports is viewed, from philanthropy to smart business strategy. This shift is redistributing power in sports ownership, with more women taking leadership roles once dominated by men. Other trailblazers include Serena Williams, Natalie Portman, and Michele Kang, who have also invested in women’s teams. Together, they’re showing that women’s sports can be financially strong and socially impactful.
The Future: A Brighter Path for Athletes
Leichtman’s approach mirrors her private equity discipline: focus on sustainable growth, community engagement, and long-term planning. For players and fans alike, this investment means better facilities, stronger management, and a clear message that women’s soccer is an asset worth building. It’s a vision that combines economic strength with social change, one that could redefine how women’s sports are owned and valued worldwide.
Empowering Women Through Sports
The Leichtman family’s investment in the San Diego Wave isn’t just a business move, it’s a statement. It symbolizes women investing in women, creating opportunities and rewriting the playbook for sports ownership. Their work highlights that when women control capital and vision, they don’t just change balance sheets, they change the game itself.
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