Active NFL player Bobby Wagner makes historical WNBA investment, securing an ownership share in a franchise
NFL Star Bobby Wagner Makes History as First Active Player to Join WNBA Ownership
In a groundbreaking move, NFL linebacker Bobby Wagner has joined the ownership group of the Seattle Storm, making him the first active player to acquire equity in a WNBA franchise.
Wagner, a 10-time Pro Bowl selection and 11-time All-Pro, has a long and successful history with the Seattle Seahawks. Drafted in the second round in 2012, he spent his first 10 seasons with the team, where he holds three records for most tackles in a single-season. His NFL career began in earnest in 2013, and in his second season, he helped the Seahawks win their first Super Bowl title (Super Bowl XLVIII).
Now, Wagner has taken his passion for sports to new heights, becoming a minority owner of the Seattle Storm. He joins a distinguished ownership group that includes Sue Bird, Lisa Brummel, Ginny Gilder, and Dawn Trudeau.
Lisa Brummel, a member of the ownership group, praised Wagner for his impact on the Seattle community and his desire to grow the game of women's sports. "Bobby's commitment to the city of Seattle and his support for women's sports make him an ideal addition to our ownership group," she said.
The Seattle Storm, a four-time WNBA championship-winning team, currently have a 15-10 record in their games. Wagner expressed his excitement about being part of the WNBA and the Storm, saying, "I'm thrilled to join the Seattle Storm family and support this incredible team. I look forward to working with the ownership group and contributing to the continued growth of women's basketball."
Ervin "Magic" Johnson, a Los Angeles Lakers great and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, reacted to Wagner's historic move into women's basketball with a congratulatory message. "Bobby Wagner is a tremendous athlete and an even better person," Johnson said. "I have no doubt that he will be a valuable addition to the Seattle Storm and the WNBA."
As of July 2025, only one active NFL player, Bobby Wagner, has an ownership stake in a WNBA franchise. His purchase of an equity stake in the Storm makes him the first-ever active NFL player to be a part owner of a WNBA franchise.
The Seattle Storm announced Wagner's inclusion in their ownership group on a specific date, but that information was not provided in the text. Wagner's impact on the Seattle community and his passion for sports are undeniable, and his historic move into the WNBA is sure to inspire other athletes to get involved in women's sports.
- Bobby Wagner's transport of his passion for sports has extended beyond American-football, as he has become a minority owner in a WNBA franchise, the Seattle Storm.
- Despite having a successful career in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, Wagner's ambition stretches beyond business in football, evidenced by his equity acquisition in the WNBA.
- Wagner's historic venture into women's basketball ownership echoes his dedication to growing the sports arena overall, a commitment evidenced in his contribution to the Seattle community.
- Ervin "Magic" Johnson, a legendary basketball player and inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, acknowledges Wagner's transformation into the WNBA world, lauding him as a valuable addition to the Seattle Storm and the WNBA.
