USC women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins joined Boston Legacy FC’s investor group, becoming the first college athlete to invest in a women’s professional sports team.
“Juju’s investment marks a groundbreaking moment for women’s sports and the power of NIL,” said Jennifer Epstein, controlling owner of Boston Legacy. “She’s showing that today’s student-athletes aren’t just building their own brands — they’re shaping the future of the game.”
The Legacy’s high-profile investor group includes actress Elizabeth Banks, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston and Celtics General Manager Brad Stevens.
Watkins joins Boston Legacy ahead of the NWSL team’s inaugural season in 2026, with a home opener scheduled for March 14. With renovations underway at White Stadium, the Legacy will compete at Gillette Stadium for the 2026 season.
Watkins was one of the top women’s college basketball players last season, earning the Naismith Trophy, AP National Player of the Year, All-America First Team and Big Ten Player of the Year, among other accolades.
— Isabelle Friedman
DraftKings strikes deal with ESPN
ESPN has reached a gaming deal with DraftKings to be its exclusive sportsbook and will end its partnership with Penn on Dec. 1.
“Our betting approach has focused on offering an integrated experience within our products,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “Working with DraftKings, a leader in the space, will allow us to build upon that foundation, continue to super-serve passionate sports fans and grow our ESPN direct-to-consumer business.”
The network and Penn announced they mutually agreed to an early termination of their 10-year agreement that began in August 2023.
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