Juju Watkins becomes part of Boston Legacy investor group

Juju Watkins won’t be seen on the court this season as she recovers from her torn ACL. But that hasn’t stopped her from making history off the court.

On Thursday, it was announced that the USC Trojans star has joined the investor group for the NWSL expansion team, Boston Legacy FC. The move makes Watkins the first NCAA athlete to directly invest in a professional women’s sports team.

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“Juju’s investment marks a groundbreaking moment for women’s sports and the power of NIL,” said Jennifer Epstein, Controlling Owner of Boston Legacy Football Club, via release. “As the first college athlete to directly invest in a women’s professional sports team, she’s showing that today’s student-athletes aren’t just building their own brands — they’re shaping the future of the game. We’re thrilled to welcome Juju to Boston Legacy FC as we build momentum, toward our inaugural 2026 season and home opener on March 14, 2026.”

Watkins joined a star-studded group of investors, including Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever, Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams, Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman and actress Elizabeth Banks. Even Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens and his wife, Tracy, are a part of the investment group.

“Boston Legacy FC is creating a space for women to achieve, lead, and inspire others at the highest level,” Watkins said in the release. “I’m proud to be part of the movement pushing women’s sports forward.”

It’s the latest foray into the NIL space for Watkins, who is doing it on a level nearly unrivaled in the women’s college basketball space. This year alone, she’s inked deals with Unrivaled and Fanatics, among others. The Fanatics deal was considered the first of its kind for a female athlete. Watkins’ growing $739,000 NIL Valuation currently ranks second in WBB behind LSU‘s Flau’jae Johnson.

She’s certainly making the most of her time off the court, which she’ll have more than enough of over the next several months. Unfortunately for Watkins, it’s due to a torn ACL suffered during USC’s run in the NCAA Tournament. She is set to miss her entire junior season as a result.

Her investment into Boston Legacy FC comes ahead of the club’s inaugural season in 2026. The 15th team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Their mission is to be “a home for the greatest female athletes of our time, building upon the supercharged legacy of Boston’s historic sports teams, cultivating a community of fans with impact at its core, and forging new connections across our city through sport.”