In a groundbreaking move that bridges professional football and women’s basketball, Bobby Wagner, the 10-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, has officially joined the Seattle Storm’s ownership group, becoming the first active NFL player to hold equity in a WNBA franchise. The Storm announced the partnership on Wednesday, July 23, marking a historic step for both leagues.
Bobby Wagner Crosses Over Into WNBA in Historic Fashion
Wagner’s investment marks a significant moment in the growing crossover between men’s and women’s professional sports. His involvement reflects both a personal commitment to gender equality and a strategic belief in the rising value of women’s basketball.
Commanders’ Bobby Wagner becomes minority investor in WNBA’s Seattle Storm, the team announced.
Wagner is the first active NFL player to have equity in a WNBA team. https://t.co/l7EPNBhghy
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 23, 2025
This tweet quickly circulated across NFL and WNBA circles, prompting praise for Wagner’s bold investment and highlighting a growing trend of athletes expanding their influence beyond the field.
Staying Connected to Seattle Through Women’s Sports
Wagner, currently a linebacker for the Washington Commanders, spent the majority of his NFL career in Seattle, where he became a cornerstone of the Seahawks’ legendary defense. His decision to invest in the Storm not only supports women’s sports but also reaffirms his deep-rooted connection to the city that helped shape his Hall of Fame-worthy career.
His timing also reflects the growing momentum in women’s basketball, with the WNBA seeing surges in TV ratings, attendance, and media coverage. For Wagner, who’s known for his vision both on the field and in the boardroom, this investment positions him as a leader in a new wave of athlete-driven empowerment in women’s sports.
A Champion On and Off the Field
Wagner’s football resume speaks for itself. A Super Bowl XLVIII champion, six-time first-team All-Pro, and NFL 2010s All-Decade Team member, Wagner has long been recognized as one of the league’s most intelligent and consistent defensive players.
In the 2024 NFL season, he recorded 75 solo tackles, 2.0 sacks, and one forced fumble, continuing to prove his value even in his 30s. But now, with his ownership stake in the Storm, Wagner is proving that his legacy extends well beyond tackles and titles.
As the first active NFL player to invest in a WNBA team, he is setting a precedent for what modern athletes can be: champions on the field and changemakers off it. His move into WNBA ownership is more than a financial decision; it’s a statement of belief in equality, community, and the future of women’s sports.
