Boston Legacy FC has announced that Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston has joined the ownership group ahead of its inaugural NWSL season, after Caitlin Clark missed out elsewhere

Aliyah Boston has become an NWSL minority owner unlike Caitlin Clark who saw her bid fail(Image: Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Aliyah Boston of the Indiana Fever has purchased an undisclosed stake in Boston Legacy FC, a new National Women’s Soccer League club that will join the league in 2026.

Boston Legacy made the announcement on July 14, hours after the Fever defeated the Dallas Wings 102-83. Boston scored 17 points during the contest as Caitlin Clark faced off against No. 1 Paige Bueckers, and Indiana improved to 11-10.

Clark, who has been criticized for her performances since returning from another injury spell, has invested in an ownership group looking to bring an NWSL team to Cincinnati. Although Cincinnati was snubbed in favor of Denver, Boston will debut in 2026 with a Fever star on board.

“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 controlling owner Jennifer Epstein. “She is a proven winner who understands what it takes to build a championship team.

“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.”

Boston was born in Saint Thomas but relocated to New England with her family at 12. Boston fell in love with basketball and represented the Worcester Academy in Massachusetts.

Boston moved to Massachusetts aged 12 and is reinvesting in the area(Image: 2025 Getty Images)

Worcester Academy retired her No. 00 jersey in 2024 as she became the first former athlete to be honored by the school. Boston gained notoriety in college at South Carolina and is now a WNBA star in Indiana, but has never forgotten her upbringing in Massachusetts.

“I’m proud to join the ownership group of the Boston Legacy,” said Boston. “This city helped raise me, and the support I felt here shaped so much of who I am.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to invest into a franchise that’s building something special for its players, for the city, and for women’s sports as a whole. And yes…Boston repping Boston just felt right!”

While Boston is starting an exciting new chapter with her NWSL ownership, Clark and Cincinnati’s business venture is unknown. Cincinnati was listed as a finalist when the NWSL awarded expansion franchises, but Boston and Denver were prioritized.

Clark’s bid with Cincinnati was unsuccessful (Image: Getty Images)

“While we are disappointed not to be awarded the 16th NWSL franchise, we are proud of our very strong expansion bid and want to thank our fans and community, corporate and government partners for their efforts and support throughout the process,” Cincinnati bid officials said in a statement.

“We remain bullish on women’s soccer and remain committed to bringing professional women’s sports to Greater Cincinnati.” The group also hopes that Clark’s influence may help their chances moving forward.

“The NWSL Cincinnati bid team is thrilled that Caitlin Clark has joined our ownership group in pursuit of bringing a women’s professional soccer team to our city,” the Cincinnati group said to ESPN.

“Her passion for the sport, commitment to elevating women’s sports in and around the Greater Cincinnati region, and influence as an athlete and role model for women and girls around the world, make her a vital part of our compelling bid to become the 16th team in the NWSL.”