Angel City FC on Tuesday was announced as the official name of the National Women’s Soccer League club which will begin play in 2022. The club also announced additional investors, including tennis legend and women’s rights advocate Billie Jean King, WNBA star Candace Parker and Olympic gold-medalist Lindsey Vonn.
Angel City co-owner Natalie Portman made the announcement on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. On Wednesday morning, the club confirmed Portman’s remarks from the show.
“We could not be more pleased to have reached this exciting milestone of officially joining the league and introducing the world to Angel City Football Club,” Angel City FC founder and president Julie Uhrman said in a statement. “I am also thrilled to announce some additional founding investors who have already been contributing meaningfully to the Angel City Family. This group, aligned in our passion and purpose, is committed to delivering for Los Angeles and our fans on and off the pitch.”
Welcome to the next evolution.
We are #AngelCityFC ✨⚽️ pic.twitter.com/FGdY9jEkNf
— Angel City FC (@weareangelcity) October 21, 2020
Angel City FC also announced additional owners.
Actress Sophia Bush and pop star Becky G have also invested in the club. Also joining the Angel City FC ownership group, among others, are:
- Candace Parker’s daughter, Lailaa.
- PK Subban, NHL player and gold medalist.
- James Corden, late night talk show host.
- Cobi Jones, former MLS and U.S. men’s national team player, and broadcaster.
- Ryan Kalil, NFL All-Pro and former Carolina Panther.
- Ben Grossman, co-owner of Minnesota United FC in MLS.
- Ilana Kloss, former professional tennis player.
- Deirdre DeLany, private investor.
- Brian Sullivan, media executive.
The group is also joined by private investor, Deirdre DeLany, and several business, media and entertainment executives including Rachael Blumberg, Courtney Carter, Glenne Christiaansen, Robyn Farmer, Jeremi Gorman, Sarah Harden, Karin Kildow, Amy Longhi, Hedy Nazarian, Rachael Neumann, Heidi Patel, Jenna Segal, Laela Sturdy, John Brennan, Juan David Borrero and model Jasmine Tookes, Jack Brody and Nicole Gibbs, Doug Sanders, Kathrin Dellago and Doug Dossey, Mark Sheletsky, Jim Shepherd, and George Strompolos, Intersect VC, and Ben Winston.
“We need everyone to invest in women’s sports and Ilana and I are proud to stand with the Angel City FC ownership group and help make new history in Southern California sports,” Billie Jean King said. “Angel City’s mission to make an impact on and off-the field, and to provide an opportunity to some of the best professional female athletes in the world to play on a stage as powerful as Los Angeles, sends a strong message to young girls in the community and beyond.”
Natalie Portman is bringing a brand new professional women’s soccer team to Los Angeles!
Introducing @weareangelcity! ⚽
Watch more: https://t.co/i2jNmnftvf pic.twitter.com/mBZg0vWusV
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) October 21, 2020
Meanwhile, NWSL commissioner Lisa Baird said she’s thrilled to welcome Angel City FC to the league in 2022.
“The soccer community in Southern California is filled with passionate fans of the game and I can’t wait to see them rally around their own team and help us continue to grow the NWSL,” Baird said.
The club will unveil an official logo and colors next year. The triangle logo revealed on their social media profiles late Tuesday is only one of their wordmarks, The Equalizer confirmed.
Equally big news to confirming Angel City FC as the team name is more high-profile investment, including from Billie Jean King, Lindsey Vonn and Candace Parker.
Of note: The triangle in the team's Twitter profile is not the official, primary crest. That is still to come. #NWSL https://t.co/ozS1KTeDOw
— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) October 21, 2020
