Oscar winnerNatalie Portmanis part of a “startup” venture that has successfully won the right to bring a new National Women’s Soccer League team to Los Angeles. Portman joins Ouya founder Julie Uhrman and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian as owners of the NWSL’s 11th team.
Rather than follow the more typical model of a single owner, the as yet unnamed team is backed by a team of investors of tech, entertainment, and sports luminaries. Jennifer Garner (Alias), Uzo Aduba (Orange is the New Black), and America Ferrera (Superstore) join twelve former U.S. Women’s National Team players as part of the 32-member ownership group.
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Portman andUhrman, along with tech venture capitalist Kara Nortman, were the initial three investors in the team, bringing on new strategic partners to join the group currently referred to as “Angel City.” Uhrman is now the CEO of WFC LA, which Angel City has also founded.
Los Angeles has no shortage of sports teams, and already has two Major League Soccer clubs. But it hasn’t had a pro women’s team since 2010. Portman told Sportico it’s a perfect time to bring the sport back to LA, saying, “After spending time with the USWNT players, their union rep, and getting to know some of the owners of the NWSL and the league’s supporters, it became clear having a team in L.A. could not only elevate the league and players’ exposure, but also bring these incredibly talented women to the city of L.A.—my city.”
Angel City has formed a community partnership with theLA84 Foundation, whose mission is to “close the Play Equity gap.” A soccer team is an opportunity for social justice, as the LA84 site describes:
Too many Latino and African American players do not get properly trained or seen by coaches who can advance their careers. In effect, our national teams are working with a limited talented pool, and one that is “disconnected” from Latinos and African Americans. Pelé and Maradona would have gone unnoticed and undeveloped in the American system.
Angel City’s site echoes this sentiment with its statement “Our city deserves better. Sports fans deserve better. Players deserve better. And together, we will build something truly unique. Will you join the team that changes the game forever?”
Ohanian was a bit more practical about the decision to buy into Angel City. “I believe there are a lot of good social reasons for this to be a successful enterprise, but this is first and foremost a capitalist one. This is where esports was five years ago, except these teams are far more marketable; the athletes are far more popular and have already transcended the sport and culture,” he told Sportico.
Angel City’s team will come to Los Angeles in 2022.
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