By Brian Murphy, WRAL

A couple with championship pedigrees are joining the NC Courage ownership group.

Former NWSL MVP and U.S. Women’s National Team member Lauren Holiday and husband Jrue Holiday, a two-time NBA champion, are the team’s newest investors.

“This club represents the future of women’s soccer — not just in how we play the game, but in how we empower athletes, connect with communities, and build a sustainable future for the sport,” Lauren Holiday said in a statement. “I believe deeply in the mission and vision of the Courage, and I’m excited to contribute in meaningful ways — especially when it comes to player development and overall culture.”

Holiday was the MVP of the NWSL in 2013 and helped FC Kansas City to back-to-back league championships in 2014 and 2015. She won two gold medals with the U.S. team in 2008 and 2012 and helped claim the 2015 World Cup title.

“Lauren’s championship pedigree, leadership experience, and genuine passion for the growth of women’s soccer make her an invaluable addition to our ownership group,” Courage majority owner Steve Malik said. “Her involvement will elevate our club both on and off the pitch, and her insight into player experience and development will help us create the best possible environment for our athletes, staff, and supporters. This is a pivotal moment for the Courage, and we couldn’t ask for a better partner as we look toward the future.”

Jrue Holiday, a member of the NBA’s Boston Celtics, won NBA titles with the Celtics (2024) and Milwaukee Bucks (2021). He, too, has won two Olympic gold medals.

ESPN reported that the Holidays investment is “substantial” and that they rank among the top five investors in the club, which has more than two dozen ownership investors, including Capitol Broadcasting Company, which owns WRAL.

Tennis star Naomi Osaka and former NFL and NC State star Torry Holt are also investors.

The Courage plays its home games at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Malik told ESPN that there is an “urgency” to find a new stadium solution. The stadium has a capacity of 10,000, below the league-wide average attendance of 11,235.

North Carolina is last in the NWSL standings through five games. The Courage has three losses and two draws in five games. NC hosts the Kansas City Current on Saturday at 7 p.m.

North Carolina won the league’s regular-season title in 2017, 2018 and 2019. They won the playoff title in 2018 and 2019. The franchise has made the playoffs in three of the last four seasons, but lost in the first round each time.

Boston Celtics’ Jrue Holiday (4) looses control of the ball against Orlando Magic’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (3) during the first half in game 1 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Source: wralsportsfan.com