OSAKA BUYS STAKE IN NWSL’S COURAGE

Tennis star Naomi Osaka of Japan purchased an ownership stake in the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League, the team announced Thursday. Osaka, 23, a three-time Grand Slam winner, was named Forbes’ highest-paid female athlete last May with US$37.4 million in prize money and endorsements over the previous 12 months. “The women who have invested in me growing up made me who I am today and I cannot think of where my life would be without them,” Osaka said in a team press release. “My investment in the North Carolina Courage is far beyond just being a team owner, it’s an investment in amazing women who are role models and leaders in their fields and inspirations to all young female athletes. I also admire everything the Courage does for diversity and equality in the community, which I greatly look forward to supporting and driving forward.” Osaka is currently ranked No. 3 in the world. She won the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020 and the Australian Open in 2019.