USC's JuJu Watkins Invests in Boston Legacy FC Ahead of NWSL Club's Debut Season

USC superstar JuJu Watkins is joining the investor group for the NWSL's Boston Legacy Football Club, the league announced Thursday.

"Boston Legacy FC is creating a space for women to achieve, lead and inspire others at the highest level, and I'm proud to be part of the movement pushing women's sports forward," the basketball star said in a statement.

Watkins—who won the 2024-25 Naismith College Player of the Year award, John R. Wooden Award and was the AP Player of the Year after averaging 23.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game last season—is one of the up-and-coming figures in women's sports. While she's sitting out the 2025-26 USC season after tearing her ACL in March, she's considered the next major superstar in women's basketball.

"Juju's investment marks a groundbreaking moment for women's sports and the power of NIL," Boston Legacy owner Jennifer Epstein said in a statement. "As the first college athlete to directly invest in a women's professional sports team, she's showing that today's student-athletes aren't just building their own brands—they're shaping the future of the game. We're thrilled to welcome Juju to Boston Legacy FC as we build momentum toward our inaugural 2026 season and home opener on March 14, 2026."

Boston is one of two expansion franchises the NWSL is introducing in 2026, alongside the Denver Summit.

Other investors from the sporting world for Boston include Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Olympic gymnast and three-time gold medalist Aly Raisman.