Commanders’ Bobby Wagner Makes NFL History with WNBA Ownership Stake originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Washington Commanders’ veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner is a future Hall of Famer thanks to a stellar career with the Seattle Seahawks, where he has spent 11 of his 13 years in the league.
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Even though Wagner moved to the nation’s capital ahead of last season, the star defender is continuing to impact the city where he began his NFL career.
Wagner has been introduced as a member of the ownership group for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm.
“It’s an honor to join the Seattle Storm ownership group and support a franchise that has consistently set the standard in women’s professional sports,” said Wagner via a press release. “This is about more than basketball, it’s about investing in a legacy of excellence, empowering women, and continuing to elevate the game for future generations.”
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The business move is monumental in uniting the two leagues as Wagner becomes the first active NFL player to have ownership stake in a WNBA team.
“Bobby is a hometown hero who has had immeasurable impact on the Seattle community,” said Seattle Storm Co-Owner Lisa Brummel.“He shares our desire to grow the game and knows the value and importance of investing in women’s sports. As we continue to build on the incredible legacy of the Storm franchise, we are excited to add Bobby’s experience and expertise to the mix.”
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Aside from his ties to the Emerald City, this is a smart investment for the savvy business man Wagner. The WNBA is on a meteoric rise in popularity, and the Storm are one of the largest beneficiaries.
The Storm have won four WNBA Championships and have earned 19 playoff appearances in their 25-year history. Last year, the franchise opened a new $64 million training facility that displays the team’s “pioneering vision for the future of women’s basketball.” Forbes also recently named the Storm the third-most valuable franchise in the W.
Wagner, 35, is the Seahawks’ team record-holder for tackles in a season (183 in 2023) and is the NFL’s active leader with 1,838 career takedowns. The Los Angeles native and Utah State product is a 10-time Pro Bowler, 11-time All-Pro selection and Super Bowl XLVIII champion with the Seahawks.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
