USC basketball star JuJu Watkins will be sidelined this season as she continues to recover from an ACL tear that she suffered in March Madness. In her sophomore season, Watkins won awards such as the Women’s Wooden Award, AP Women’s Player of the Year, and Naismith Women’s College Player of the Year, averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. She is one of the most recognizable faces in women’s college basketball, which is why it is unfortunate she will miss the entire 2025-2026 season.
Despite not being able to play this year, Watkins has stayed active in shaping her brand and influence outside of the game. From NIL partnership to media visibility, she has continued to grow her presence in women’s basketball. Now, her latest off-court move has made history.
How is JuJu Watkins Making History?
Although no financial details were released, Watkins has officially invested in Boston Legacy FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She has made history as the first college athlete to invest directly in a professional women’s sports team. The Legacy is the 15th team in the NWSL and will begin play next year.
Watkins has joined a high-profile investor group that includes Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman, WNBA star Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens, and other non-sport-related investors.
This investment is not Watkins’ first venture into the sports business. Earlier this year, she also invested in Unrivaled, a new women’s three-on-three basketball league featuring WNBA players such as Napheesa Collier, Sabrina Ionescu, and Paige Bueckers, among others.
She participated in a $28 million Series A funding before signing an NIL deal with the league. Watkin’s isn’t just thinking about her career as a basketball player; she’s setting herself up in the business of sport.
She is the first college athlete to invest in a professional women’s team, whereas many athletes wait until they’re close to retirement or retired to become entrepreneurs. Not Watkins, though, and she’s doing it at only 20 years old.
The Boston Legacy’s $53 million expansion fee and valuation growth demonstrate the significant momentum the NWSL continues to build. By attaching her name and resources to a franchise early, Watkins has placed herself on the ground floor of a new operation.
Watkin’s decision reflects the new era in college athletics: one where young stars are doing more than just participating in sports. They’re building brands despite having limited business knowledge. Even while sidelined with an injury, Watkins finds a way to elevate women’s sports without being on the court.
