Dwyane Wade Joins Ownership Group Of Chicago Sky
Dwyane Wade is making a major investment in the WNBA by joining the ownership group of the Chicago Sky.
The move comes at, what ESPN describes as, a "pivotal time" for the league.
"We all talk about support, and support looks different for everyone," Wade told ESPN. "And so instead of tweeting out and saying 'go support the W,' instead of showing up at the game and supporting, I wanted to take it to that next level, and this was the next level for me."
He added, "It's a great opportunity to be a part of the league in its very early stages. ... Growth is going to happen, and so I want to be a part of the growth of this league."
Wade's investment also comes at an exciting time for him. The three-time NBA champion and 13-time All Star will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame next month.
HIs investment is subject to the approval of the WNBA Board of Governors and the exact amount of his ownership stake hasn't been disclosed.
However, Chicago Sky co-owner and operating chairman Nadia Rawlinson told ESPN. "He has made an impact now in business and philanthropy in really significant ways that are abiding and authentic and true, and that is who we are at the Chicago Sky. And so the fact that now he can help us be part of his story with that is extraordinary."
In an Instagram post, Wade celebrated the investment writing, "It’s an incredible feeling being on this side of history. To see growth, on the business side, for something that I’ve been passionate about my whole life is an amazing feeling. There are amazing things happening in the @WNBA. It’s official! This is for the home team. #SkyTown @ChicagoSky"
Wade is a Chicago native and has frequently hosted basketball camps and other philanthropic efforts in the city.
"This is meaningful for the players, and this is meaningful for the city as a whole," Rawlinson added. "Dwyane Wade is a son of Chicago. And the thing that differentiates us, I think, from other franchises is that we are Chicago. We are the future of Chicago. We are the culture of Chicago. We are in it and of it, and he is very much sort of a main character in that story. And we're just pleased and thrilled at what the future can bring with both of us working together."
"I'm going to enjoy this process, probably even more than the NBA process, because this one is not ready-made," Wade said. "This one, it has so much room for improvement and growth, and I just want to be additive to this entire league. Hopefully, we can do that. All of us."
Wade added, "No pun intended, but the sky's the limit."
