Aliyah Boston has had other opportunities to invest in women’s sports. Considering her name and where she was Monday, it was the perfect day for the WNBA star to announce that she is an investor in the city’s coming National Women’s Soccer League franchise, Boston Legacy FC.
“Growing up in Worcester and being in Boston, it just made the most sense — and obviously my last name’s pretty cool,” said Aliyah at the State House. “But honestly, I think being able to invest in a professional league is so important because as a professional athlete, as a professional woman athlete, it’s just so crucial to make sure that we have exactly everything that we need and we’re taken care of. And I know Boston Legacy’s going to do that.”
Aliyah, who attended Worcester Academy before heading to the University of South Carolina and on to an All-Star career with the Indiana Fever, is in town to play in Tuesday night’s sold-out WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun.
On Monday, she and most of her Fever teammates traveled to the State House for Boston to be celebrated by an enthusiastic throng of young basketballers ringed by a long line of state and local politicians, each in possession of proclamations and citations honoring the 23-year-old.
Gov. Maura Healey lauded Boston as “a person who inspires, who motivates, who embodies and represents so much for girls — see what you can be, see what you can dream to be. That’s what today is all about.”
Speaker of the House Ronald Marino got a big nod from the governor when he suggested Boston getting a WNBA team “is the next step for us.”
State representative Chris Worrell handed the microphone to his brother, City Councilor Brian Worrell, who announced Monday as “Aliyah Boston Day” in Boston.
Worcester Academy retired Boston’s No. 00 jersey last year. She led the school to a pair of Class AA NEPSAC championships and was named Gatorade Player of the Year three times.
After winning an NCAA championship with the Gamecocks, Boston was the first overall selection of the 2023 draft. She has been an All-Star every season she’s played, and will appear in this year’s game this weekend.
Jennifer Epstein, controlling owner of Boston Legacy, lauded Boston’s entry into its ownership group.
“Aliyah’s investment in our club demonstrates the strength of women’s sports as our two leagues — the WNBA and NWSL — continue to grow and expand,” said Epstein in a statement. “She is a proven winner who understands what it takes to build a championship team, and her presence in our investor group brings an invaluable athlete perspective. It’s an exciting time to see professional female athletes help shape the future of global women’s sports.”
The Legacy will make their NWSL debut in March. They will play their first season at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home to Major League Soccer’s Revolution. Their future home, White Stadium in Franklin Park, will not be renovated in time for next season.
Boston joins an investment group that includes actress Elizabeth Banks, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman, and Celtics president Brad Stevens and his wife, Tracy.
No longer in the group is Linda Henry, CEO of Boston Globe Media, who has officially sold her minority stake in the team. Henry announced her intention to sell her stake in February and is no longer affiliated with the team.
Michael Silverman can be reached at michael.silverman@globe.com.
