Bob Iger and Willow Bay acquire majority stake in Angel City Football Club
Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Co., and his wife Willow Bay, dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, will become the new majority owners of the Angel City Football Club and will invest enough money in the team to make it “the most valuable women’s sports team in the world,” the club announced Wednesday.
According to the team, Bay and Iger will acquire majority ownership of the team “at an enterprise value of $250 million,” making the team the highest-valued women’s sports team. The pair plan to invest an additional $50 million in the team to “support the future growth of the club.”
The transaction is still subject to approval by the National Women’s Soccer League.
“Willow and Bob bring unparalleled operational experience, expertise and passion to the ACFC and the NWSL,” the ACFC board said in a statement. “They are lifelong sports fans who have supported the ACFC since the team’s inception. They are deeply committed to the Los Angeles community, have been city residents, leaders and philanthropists for nearly three decades and have a long track record of dedicating their time and resources to supporting local Los Angeles organizations.”
“We know they are the right partners to lead us into this new era. They are committed to further strengthening ACFC’s position as the preeminent organization and brand in women’s sports and supporting the team’s broader mission, including advancing equality for female athletes and women-founded businesses. Under their leadership, we will continue to capitalize on industry momentum and build on ACFC’s strong foundation of fan and community support.”
As part of the deal, Bay will “serve on the board of directors of the ACFC and have full control over it,” the team said.
“As fans and friends of ACFC, we are thrilled to join this team as owners at this historic moment in the sport,” Bay said in a statement. “ACFC and these incredible athletes have already made a tremendous impact on the NWSL, women’s soccer and the Los Angeles community. With this investment of resources and capital, we hope to accelerate the growth of the club and the NWSL. Working with the team and board of directors, as well as the incredible community of ACFC fans, we are committed to furthering the club’s mission to advance equality on and off the field.”
The team was founded in 2020 by an ownership group led by actress Natalie Portman. She and other key original investors remain on the board. The ownership group also includes celebrities such as Billie Jean King, Candace Parker, Uzo Aduba, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Jennifer Garner, Eva Longoria, Matthew Stafford, Lindsey Vonn and more than a dozen former members of the U.S. Women’s National Team, including Julie Foudy, Mia Hamm, Lauren Cheney Holiday and Abby Wambach.
How we can use the (RBB) price action to our advantage
Maria Campos tells a story of love and death in the video “Amor Mio”
Chris Bosh almost appeared in Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers 3
About The Author
