The Next Play: Candace Parker's Retirement and Business Ventures.

In an inspiring Instagram post, WNBA icon Candace Parker bid farewell to her illustrious 16-year professional basketball career, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter in the sports business realm.

“This is the beginning … I’m attacking business, private equity, ownership (I will own both a NBA & WNBA team), broadcasting, production, boardrooms, beach volleyball, dominoes (sorry babe it’s going to get more real) with the same intensity & focus I did basketball,” Parker wrote in her post.

Paving her legacy with unparalleled grace and skill, Parker made history as the first player to clinch three WNBA titles with three distinct teams. Her victories with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016, the Chicago Sky in 2021, and the Las Vegas Aces in 2023 marked her as a true champion.

Candace Parker's journey extends far beyond the basketball court, showcasing her prowess as a strategic investor and advocate for women's empowerment in sports.

Let's take a closer look at her notable investments:

In 2020, Candace Parker joined forces with luminaries like Serena Williams, Lindsey Vonn, and Billie Jean King to become a part of the ownership group of Angel City FC, the National Women’s Soccer League's newest team. This bold move underlined her commitment to promoting women's sports at all levels.

The following year, Parker diversified her investment portfolio by backing Alt, a marketplace specializing in trading cards and collectibles. Alongside sports icons like Tom Brady, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Alex Morgan, Parker contributed to Alt's impressive $75 million Series B funding round, highlighting her keen eye for promising ventures.

In 2022, Parker continued her support for diversity and equity in the workplace by investing in Syndio, a leading Workplace Equity Platform aimed at unlocking employee potential. Her involvement in Syndio's $50 million Series C funding round underscored her dedication to fostering inclusive work environments.

Additionally, Parker ventured into the culinary realm by participating in Shef's $73.5 million Series B funding round in the same year. Alongside fellow athletes Russell Westbrook and Odell Beckham Jr., Parker demonstrated her interest in innovative platforms like Shef, a chef-to-consumer marketplace.

In 2023, Parker's investment focus turned to empowering female athletes with her involvement in League One Volleyball, a sports platform revolutionizing the future of volleyball for women. By contributing to League One Volleyball's $35 million Series B funding, Parker emphasized her commitment to supporting opportunities for female athletes.

Candace Parker's journey as an investor mirrors her trailblazing career in basketball, reflecting her passion for championing women's sports and fostering inclusive spaces for athletes to thrive. As she embarks on this new chapter, her legacy continues to inspire athletes worldwide to aim higher, both on and off the field.