Eli Manning Says His Daughters Inspired Him to Become a Part-Owner of Gotham Women's Soccer Club

Mar. 15, 2025

The National Women’s Soccer League is welcoming a New York legend into its owners' club.

On Wednesday, Gotham FC announced thatEli Manning, the former New York Giants quarterback, has joined the New York and New Jersey-based team as a minority owner.

“I have lived and worked in this community for almost two decades,” Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion, said in astatement.

“It’s home to me, and Gotham FC is my family’s favorite soccer club,” he continued. “Combine that with the organization’s strong leadership, talented roster, and sustained growth, and it became clear that joining this great group was a fantastic opportunity.”

Along with Manning, WNBA starSue Bird, former USWNT and Gotham FC playerCarli Lloydand Brooklyn Nets starKevin Durantall joined the team as minority owners.

He added: “We’re driving what happens next in the world’s game with some of the greatest athletes in the game, and I can’t imagine what’s more exciting than being a part of that.”

In an interview with theNew York Post, Manning said it was important for him to find role models for his girls.

“You put them in different things, and you want them to find things that they’re passionate about,” he explained. “It creates such great life lessons and work ethic and teamwork and dedication and commitment and those type of things.”

“I got to do that a little bit growing up with my dad [former NFL player Archie Manning] around the Saints, and meeting some of those players and kinda be able to look up to them, so I thought it would just be great to kind of support the local teams and to have something that’s gonna be fun to be involved in to be part of the ownership and have something that my kids just enjoy the experience of it as well,” Manning continued.

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source: people.com