Angel City FC has just rocketed to become the most valuable women’s sports team globally, thanks to Willow Bay and Disney CEO Bob Iger’s acquisition of a controlling stake in the National Women’s Soccer League franchise, valued at a dazzling $250 million.
Bay, the dean at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Iger, leading the Walt Disney Company, will be the new majority owners of the Los Angeles-based team after league approval and transaction closure. “It’s truly a historic moment for women’s sports,” Bay shared with ESPN, describing the ascent in women’s sports as breathtaking and only the beginning of an exciting journey.
Beyond this hefty acquisition, Bay and Iger, who are married, are set to invest an additional $50 million into the club. This unprecedented investment sees them becoming the main stewards of Angel City, joining a stellar ownership group that remains unchanged. Bay will also have full control of Angel City’s board and will represent the club on the NWSL’s board of governors.
The transaction has received unanimous approval from Angel City’s board of directors and is expected to finalize within the next month or two. Icons like Natalie Portman, Julie Uhrman, Alexis Ohanian, and Gillian Berry will continue to grace the board. The collective board lauds Bay and Iger for their unparalleled experience and dedication, hoping to further elevate Angel City’s stature in women’s sports.
Since its inception in 2020 and debut season in 2022, Angel City has enjoyed spectacular success, setting records such as selling over 15,000 season tickets before even playing a game, compared to the league’s previous average of fewer than 6,000 fans per game. Despite BMO Stadium’s prominence, being a secondary tenant and using a temporary training facility poses challenges for the team.
With Angel City poised for growth, Bay emphasized the potential in player development and support. Enthusiastic about the club’s future trajectory, she announced, “The momentum here is strong and sustainable. We’re just getting started.”
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Source: Jeff Kassouf
