Los Angeles’ new soccer team has unveiled its official name: Angel City FC. The team – first announced in July – will begin play in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in 2022.
Angel City FC is the first major U.S. pro sports team with a majority-woman ownership group. In recent months, the original trio of founders – Julie Uhrman, Natalie Portman, and Kara Nortman – have been joined by some of the biggest names in sport and society, including Serena Williams and her husband Alexis Ohanian.
Natalie Portman reveals the name of her new women’s professional soccer team that is coming to Los Angeles in 2022! 👀⚽ #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/VwKHdfKwXF
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) October 21, 2020
Earlier today, the club announced a new roster of investors that includes tennis legend Billie Jean King, two-time Olympic basketball gold medalist Candace Parker (and her daughter Lailaa), and Olympic alpine skiing gold medalist Lindsey Vonn.
We need everyone to invest in women’s sports. @ilanakloss & I are proud to stand as members of the #AngelCityFC ownership group.
Our mission is to create change on & off the field, & to give some of the best female athletes the chance to play on the LA stage.
Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/FNNR8R0MXX
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) October 21, 2020
So excited to be an OWNER of Angel City FC! So excited to see what these amazing women can accomplish!! 💪🏻 Let’s go! @weareangelcity pic.twitter.com/gKeGkHozXX
— lindsey vonn (@lindseyvonn) October 21, 2020
The club has also received support from outside the sports world. In addition to Portman, the club’s investors also include actresses Eva Longoria, Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, and Jennifer Garner.
The NWSL has had two competitions since the COVID-19 outbreak began. In July, eight of the league’s nine teams traveled to Utah for the “Challenge Cup” (won by the Houston Dash). Then, earlier this fall, play resumed with the “Community Shield” series (won by Portland Thorns FC).
