Los Angeles, CA – Lisa Leslie, a long-time star for the Los Angeles Sparks who retired after the 2009 season, has joined the team's ownership group.
The Sparks announced the news at halftime of Friday's game against Tulsa.
Leslie becomes the first former WNBA player to invest in a team in the league's 15-year history, and there is hardly a better match.
The Los Angeles-area native was an All-American at USC and played her entire WNBA career with the Sparks, beginning with their inaugural season in 1997. She was a three-time league MVP and led the club to titles in 2001 and '02.
Leslie, who is also a four-time Olympic gold medalist, had her No. 9 jersey retired last summer.
"With my investment in the Sparks, my basketball career has truly come full- circle," Leslie said. "After spending over a decade playing with the Sparks, and then the last two seasons as both a fan and team broadcaster, I couldn't be happier to rejoin the organization formally as a business partner and team ambassador. I look forward to being an asset to the Sparks in the areas of marketing and community outreach."
The ownership group also includes chairperson Paula Madison and board members Kathy Goodman and Carla Christofferson.
"Lisa has always been a member of the Sparks family, and we're elated to welcome her as a team investor," Madison said. "Beyond her accomplishments on the court, Lisa is a savvy businesswoman and the epitome of grace and class."
Leslie posted averages of 17.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game over 363 lifetime contests, and retired as the WNBA's all-time leading rebounder and scorer.