Olympic gold medalist Lauren Holiday joins North Carolina Courage NWSL team ownership group

New York Times

23-04-2025

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup winner Lauren Holiday has joined the ownership group of North Carolina Courage.
The USWNT legend and her husband, Jrue Holiday, are investing in the team through the Holiday Family Trust. Jrue Holiday, currently with the Boston Celtics, has won two NBA titles (one with the Milwaukee Bucks, one with the Celtics).
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'This club represents the future of women's soccer — not just in how we play the game, but in how we empower athletes, connect with communities and build a sustainable future for the sport,' Lauren said in a statement. 'I believe deeply in the mission and vision of the Courage, and I'm excited to contribute in meaningful ways — especially when it comes to player development and overall culture.'
Holiday joins a diverse group of investors in The Courage, including Naomi Osaka, Ons Jabeur, Jim and Sue Datin, Sara Toussaint, Michael and Ashlie Bucy, Milan and Stephanie DiGiulio, Tory Holt, Jay Hartington and others.
The North Carolina NWSL franchise isn't Holiday's first foray into women's sports ownership.
She recently joined the board of Mercury 13, an investment group dedicated exclusively to women's soccer. The consortium made headlines last year with its acquisition of Serie A Femminile club FC Como Women. Holiday took on the board role as part of her involvement as an advisor to the Avenue Sports Fund — former Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry's private equity fund — which committed $100 million to Mercury 13.
'Lauren has such a passion for this sport and her unique perspective will help us elevate every aspect of the organization,' Steve Malik, the majority owner and chairperson, told The Athletic. 'From our early conversations, we've been aligned on the vision for what this club can and should be. I'm excited to see her impact and what the future holds.'
Lasry's Avenue Capital Group was previously rumored to have investment discussions with Angel City FC, the Portland Thorns and Seattle Reign; and nearly bought a 60 percent stake in the Courage last year for $108 million, but the deal fell through.
The former UCLA standout was a founding investor in Angel City FC when it launched in 2020 — she has since divested from ACFC — and she played a pivotal role in launching the NWSL with FC Kansas City. She helped the team secure league championships in 2014 and 2015, while earning inaugural league MVP honors in 2013. After retiring from professional soccer in 2016, Holiday faced a challenging diagnosis of a benign brain tumor while pregnant with her first child.
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Her journey, on and off the field, led to the creation of the Lauren Holiday Impact Award in partnership with the NWSL and Nationwide.
Lauren will also serve as an advisor and ambassador for the club, advising on- and off-field decisions. Holiday will have a hands-on role with the club, from player development to player experience.