She a leader on and off the court!
Renee Montgomery just made history as the first former WNBA player to become both owner and executive of a WNBA team, Blavity reports.
The 34-year-old entered the league more than 10 years ago. She won a national champion in 2009 as a member of the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team and two WNBA titles with the Minnesota Lynx in 2015 and 2017. Recently, Montgomery opted out of the 2020 season, citing the need to focus more on her social justice activism, soon after announcing her retirement from the league.
Amid the pandemic, social unrest birthed a racial reckoning for many industries, the WNBA being no exception. Atlanta Dream team owners Kelly Loeffler and Mary Brock found themselves in the center of controversy after Loeffler, a former U.S. senator, endorsed former President Donald Trump. She then penned an open letter to WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert condemning the Black Lives Matter movement and the league’s support of it.
In response, WNBA players wore “VOTE WARNOCK” shirts to support Senator Raphael G. Warnock, Loeffler’s opponent in the Georgia Senate race. Warnock ended up winning the race, making history as the first Black senator to represent Georgia. After his victory, NBA player Lebron tweeted about looking into buying the Atlanta Dream, Montgomery replying, “I’m ready when you are.”
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Loeffler and Brock decided to leave the ownership group, leaving the door wide open for Montgomery. She, alongside Suzanne Abair, president and chief operating officer at investment firm Northland and Larry Gottesdiener, chairman at Northland, formed an investment group. The came together to place their bid to become co-owners of the Atlanta Dream. Last week, WNBA officials unanimously voted to approve the sale to the three-person investment group, Montgomery making history as the first former WNBA star to become owner and executive of a team.
“My dream has come true. Breaking barriers for minorities and women by being the first former WNBA player to have both a stake in ownership and a leadership role with the team is an opportunity that I take very seriously. I invite you to join me as the dream builds momentum in Atlanta!” said Montgomery.
Congratulations Renee! Because of you, we can!
Photo Courtesy of Renee Montgomery/People Magazine