At the Us Open, Icons Reminded Us: Women Athletes Aren’t Just Playing—they’re Owning the Future
Women’s sports aren’t just rising—they’re exploding. Global revenue nearly doubled from $981 million in 2023 to $1.88 billion in 2024, with $2.35 billion projected for 2025. At the US Open, J.P. Morgan highlighted this momentum by hosting a gathering of athletes, investors, and creators, headlined by tennis champion Sloane Stephens and WNBA owner Renee Montgomery.
Their message was clear: true investment goes beyond money. It requires conviction, sacrifice, and building systems that last.
Sloane Stephens: Building Wealth, Giving Back
When Stephens won the 2017 US Open, she earned a $3.4 million prize purse. Instead of splurging, she saved, invested, and built her foundation—recently honored with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. She’s now teaching other women athletes how to support founders and businesses through small but powerful investments.
“We brought in six or seven women to invest—it was their first time. Even if small, it was real support. That’s how you build community and power,” Stephens said.
Renee Montgomery: Legacy Over Trends
Montgomery, who left her playing career to become a WNBA owner, stressed the need for authentic commitment. “Some folks wait until others invest, then jump in when the risk feels lower. That’s never been me,” she told the crowd.
Today, WNBA team valuations top $300 million. Montgomery’s leap was more than financial—it was legacy. She challenged investors to treat women’s sports with the same creative energy as men’s. “Don’t make it corny. We need the hottest songs, the best directors, the coolest campaigns. That’s culture.”
The Future Is Conviction
As Stephens put it, the challenge now is filtering out who’s truly committed versus who’s just here for the moment. Real growth in women’s sports depends on passion, representation, and the kind of investment that sustains—not trends that fade.
