Naomi Osaka is now the proud owner of a professionalsports franchise.- The 23-year-old invested in the North Carolina Courage, an
NWSL team, and cited her interest in promotingwomen's sports as her motivation. - While Osaka and the club evidently share a winning mentality, both parties also boast a $4.
Naomi Osaka has garnered an array of accolades - three-time
And now, the 23-year-old can add professional sports franchise owner to the list.
The
"The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today and I cannot think of where my life would be without them," Osaka said, per a $4e. "My investment in the North Carolina Courage is far beyond just being a team owner, 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," she added. "Which I greatly look forward to supporting and driving forward."
While Osaka and the club evidently share a winning mentality, both parties also boast a $4. Osaka made waves last fall as she used her platform to $4 throughout her $4. Likewise, her recently-acquired team was among the first in American professional sports to $4, and players within the franchise are leaders in the league's newly-formed Black Women's Player Collective.
After the initial announcement, the Courage released a video featuring highlights of North Carolina players and the tennis star herself that expresses their joint dedication to winning and societal betterment.
"We have raised cups, trophies, and shields," the video says. "We have fought like hell and learned from defeat. We take action for what's important, and sometimes kneel in defiance. We are diverse talent from all over the globe with a universal message of empowerment."
"Welcome, Naomi Osaka. Courage unites us."
Check out the clip below: