Naomi Osaka just opened up her wallet in support of women’s sports.
The three-time Grand Slam champion just invested in the North Carolina Courage, a member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
The 23-year-old tennis star was named Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete last May (#29 overall), surpassing her idol Serena Williams. She amassed $37.4 million over 12 months to take the crown and now she’s giving back by helping to fund women’s soccer.
“The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today, I don’t know where I would be without them,” wrote Osaka on her Twitter post. “Throughout my career I’ve always received so much love from my fellow female athletes, so that’s why I am proud to share that I am now an owner of the NC Courage.”
Courage owner and Chairman, Steve Malik, who acquired the team and moved them to North Carolina, was ecstatic to have Osaka on board.
“I am thrilled to welcome Naomi as an owner of the North Carolina Courage,” said Malik. “Naomi embodies the values we have been striving to cultivate at our club, and she brings an invaluable viewpoint on topics beyond sports. I cannot think of anyone better to help us as we continue to make a difference in our community and inspire the next generation of women.”
Naomi and the Courage share championship traits. Osaka has won three Grand Slam titles (2018 US Open, 2019 Australian Open, 2020 US Open) and the Courage have won two NWSL Championships (2018, 2019). Now the winning pair look to do bigger things for both the team, league, and sport.
“My investment in the North Carolina Courage is far beyond just being a team owner,” said Osaka. “It’s an investment in amazing women who are role models and leaders in their fields and inspirations to all young female athletes. I also admire everything the Courage does for diversity and equality in the community, which I greatly look forward to supporting and driving forward.”
