For years, Jimmy Butler has been one of the San Diego Wave\u2019s most visible fans.<\/p>\n
Now, he\u2019s a part-owner.<\/p>\n
Butler has joined the club\u2019s ownership as an investor, the Wave announced Monday morning. The six-time NBA All-Star now with the Golden State Warriors is a Poway resident and longtime soccer fan.<\/p>\n
San Diego is 10-8-7 and has secured a spot in the National Women\u2019s Soccer League playoffs. They\u2019re tied for fifth place in the NWSL standings after the weekend matches; the top eight teams make the postseason.<\/p>\n
\u201cSoccer has been a passion of mine for a long time, and being part of the game in a meaningful way has always been a dream,\u201d Butler said. \u201cSan Diego has become a city close to my heart, and I\u2019m proud to invest in a club that is pushing boundaries, building something lasting, and setting a new standard for what women\u2019s sports can be both on and off the pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wave owner Lauren Leichtman called Butler \u201ca competitor and visionary who shares our values and our ambition to grow this club.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe brings a global perspective, a deep respect for the athlete\u2019s journey, and a creative spirit that perfectly complements what we are building here at Wave FC,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Leichtman and her family finalized their purchase of the Wave a year ago<\/a>, paying a then-National Women\u2019s Soccer League record $113 million for the club. Since then, the club has hired a new coach in Jonas Eidevall<\/a>; overhauled its roster with an emphasis on young, international players<\/a>; and adopted a new, attacking style.<\/p>\n