Monarch Collective Doubles Fund to $250M, Capitalizing on Women's Sports Boom

Monarch Collective, a private equity fund dedicated to women's sports, has significantly bolstered its investment capabilities by increasing its fund size from $150 million to $250 million. This expansion positions the fund as a pivotal player in the burgeoning women's sports market, enabling it to invest in professional sports teams, leagues, and media rights. The surge in interest and investment in women's sports has driven this growth, with viewership, merchandise sales, and ticket sales for women's sports events experiencing substantial increases over the past few years.

This trend is particularly evident in sports like soccer and basketball. The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) reached 2 million total attendance last year, while the Women’s March Madness tournament set record viewership and revenue, driven by stars like Caitlin Clark. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has also seen a significant increase in sell-outs since Clark joined the league for the 2024 season.

Monarch Collective's portfolio includes three NWSL teams: Angel City Football Club, BOS Nation FC, and the San Diego Wave FC. The fund's investment strategy is focused on operational and value-added capital, aiming to build a supportive community and deploy innovative strategies to drive success in women's sports. High-profile investors, including Melinda French Gates’s Pivotal Ventures, Hello Sunshine CEO Sarah Harden, and Beth Brooke, former global vice chairman of public policy at EY, have contributed to the majority of the new infusion of capital.

The fund's managing partners, Kara Nortman and Jasmine Robinson, emphasize the importance of driving meaningful change in women's sports. They believe that the current momentum in women's sports represents more than just a pivotal moment; it is an opportunity to create a diverse and inclusive ecosystem that reflects today's ownership groups, management teams, and fan bases. With the increased capital, Monarch Collective is well-positioned to continue fueling the growth and success of women's sports, supporting teams, leagues, and media rights in this rapidly accelerating market.