Willow Bay, dean of USC’s journalism school, and Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO and Bay’s husband, are reportedly near a deal to buy a controlling stake in L.A.’s Angel City FC pro women’s soccer team for more than $50 million.
The deal would make Angel City FC, one of the 14 teams in the U.S.’s National Women’s Soccer League, the most valuable women’s sports club in the world. If the deal is competed Bay and Iger would replace Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and husband of tennis star Serena Williams, as the team’s controlling shareholder.
As first reported by Semafor and confirmed by the New York Times’ The Athletic sports site, the investment from Bay and Iger would value the team at $300 million. Puck’s Dylan Byers previously reported that Bay was nearing a deal for Angel City FC.
Reps for Angel City FC and Disney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Angel City FC generated $31 million in revenue in 2023, nearly double the next closest NWSL team, San Diego Wave FC, which pulled in $16.3 million, according to Sportico.
Angel City FC’s three co-founding partners are actor Natalie Portman, tech investor Kara Nortman and media entrepreneur and entertainment exec Julie Uhrman (who serves as the club’s president). The team — which commenced play with NWSL’s 2022 season — has more than 100 additional investors, including celebrities Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, Jennifer Garner and Eva Longoria and former U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team stars Mia Hamm, Shannon Boxx and Julie Foudy.
According to media reports, Iger and Bay attended Angel City FC’s June 30 home game at L.A.’s BMO Stadium against the Orlando Pride (which Angel City lost 3-0). Currently, Angel City FC stands in 11th place among NWSL’s 14 teams with a record of four wins, three draws and eight losses.
Source Agencies
