Sabrina Ionescu’s last 12 months are like a movie.
Last February, her one-on-one three-point shootout with role model and Golden State Warriors friend Steph Curry ignited the NBA All-Star stage. In June, Sabrina 2 dropped the second edition of her iconic Nike shoes – a hug for men and women. In August, she won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In October, she won the WNBA championship with the New York Liberal Party, a game that included an epic three-pointer in Game 3.
Now, she is the team owner. Ionescu is the latest investor in Bay FC, a franchise for NWSL in its hometown area.
Ionescu tells sports. “It was crazy when I sat down and pondered my youth and how fast everything was. Especially in this regard, being an investor in a professional alliance. Many people did a lot later in their careers. For me, being part of the business side so early, I think it kind of prepared me for the future.
“It’s crazy to be able to influence the franchise now. It’s kind of like my pinch moment, obviously humble.”
It makes sense for Ionescu to be an investor in Bay FC because of where she comes from. Bay Area itself. The Pride of Miramonte High School. And, in the case of apologizing to freedom, many hope to be the near future face of the new Jinzhou martial god.
Ionescu is also in the role of Bay FC’s official business consultant, which makes sense as she carved space for women in this modern sports and business landscape. She hopes to help the Gulf FC maximize this potential is a coup for the Bay Area NWSL squad.
Be loyal to the soil.
We are pleased to welcome the 2024 WNBA Champion, Olympic Gold Medal, 3x WNBA All-Star and Bay’s own Champion @sabrina_i20 Family as an investor and business consultant.
📰: https://t.co/utesbxjome#bayfc x #BayareAunite pic.twitter.com/rdsccqqvafd
– Bay Football Club (@wearebayfc) March 3, 2025
Conceptually, this is an ideal marriage. A Bay Area superstar joins the Bay Area franchise, blending the ever-changing landscape of Bay Area movement. With the establishment of Bay FC, Valkyrie is coming, and even the USL W Alliance’s Auckland Soul, this region is increasingly versatile with the survivability of women’s movements.
Bay FC – set an NWSL record with 11 wins through expansion clubs and made the playoffs in its inaugural season – ranked the top three in ticketing revenue and number one in merchandise sales. It’s a steady rise after selling its home opener last March, creating a moment in Bay Area history.
“It’s so cool to see people, just look at the Bay Area locals, see the season tickets they sell. Ionescu said, “When you see 18,000 people crazy in the family opener, there’s a lot of things going on in the Bay Area, so you really understand how many people (expressed) really want to watch women’s sports.”
Adding Ionescu to ownership along with Andre Iguodala, Shaun Livingston, Andrew Luck and Manu Ginobili raises growth potential. A young pioneer is now mixing. College basketball has become a big dog.
Ionescu is the first female basketball player to have a universal signature series with Nike. The Sabrina 2 has become the most serious basketball shoe in the NBA. She also received guidance and verification from the late Kobe Bryant.
“It has brought more attention to people like Sabrina,” said Jen Millet, chief operating officer of Bay Football Club. “It conveys the message that this is true. It’s growing. It’s important. We’re on the rocket ship. And if you’re in now and you’re part of it, you’re going to over-index. You’re going to go beyond any investment now. It’s a huge win. She’s essentially going to be in the prime. She’s young. She’s going up. We’re going up.”
This is just the beginning of Ionescu’s growing growth in the Bay Area. In these parts, Ionescu is a pillar: she has strong roots in the community; she takes curry as a role model; and now, with the establishment of Bay Football Club, she is her colleague. Maybe one day – after this WNBA season, she’s an unrestricted free agent – bringing Chase together at home.
“Seeing 18,000 people crazy in the home opener,” Sabrina Ionescu said in his debut last March. “…You really know how many people really want to watch women’s sports.” (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)
Ionescu brings a different paradigm. The ballerina is Baller, and sports is sports, and quality is more important than identity.
This is one of the elements that enhance Bay FC’s potential claims. Brands that previously associated with women’s sports don’t seem to need to make these proposals anymore. More and more people are investing in women’s sports because they believe in their promises.
Part of Ionescu’s Bay Area heritage will help change that paradigm. The game recognizes the game.
“It’s fun to finally see everyone else see this, too,” Ionescu said. “These are huge moments now happening in other parts of society, whether it’s a female sport or not, to give people their own flowers. People have taken a lot of steps and have been taking the steps to build this equality in sports. It’s fun to see our current perspective, but it’s even more exciting to see where it goes. We’re trying to draw out where we want to go in terms of salary, respect, ratings and sponsorship.”
Ionescu has not yet made its debut at Paypal Park in San Jose. This can happen when Bay FC starts its 2025 NWSL movement. But she is already as formal as the referee’s whistle. Stamp with a messy seal. Letterman jacket, luxury jacket. Navy blue looks like a pea coat with white trim on the left chest and white Old English B. and Bayfc back.
In these parts, it is a coveted commodity. It is specially provided to investors in franchise and VIP. Ions are.
“Of course, I have my coat,” she said with a smile. “You know I have one.”
(Top photos of Sabrina Ionescu during the WNBA Championship parade of the New York Freedom Championships in October: Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images)
