Former Seahawks Star Wagner Joins WNBA's Storm Ownership
Wagner joins a Storm ownership group led by Lisa Brummel, Dawn Trudeau and Ginny Gilder, who launched Force 10 Hoops LLC. The trio purchased the team from Oklahoma City Thunder owner Clay Bennett for a reported $10 million in 2008 when the Supersonics relocated from Seattle and were renamed.
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As Sportico reported in June, the Storm were last valued at $325 million when they sold small stakes representing roughly 1.5% of the team's equity. The franchise ranks fifth out of 13 teams in Sportico's 2025 WNBA valuations.
'It's a great time,' Wagner told reporters on Wednesday. 'I've watched [the Storm] from afar being in Seattle so I'm really excited to be part of the growth and stay close to a community that I still love.'
Wagner, who still lives in the Seattle area during the offseason, spent his first 10 NFL seasons with the Seahawks and helped them win their first Super Bowl in 2014. The 11-time All-Pro linebacker still holds three team records, including most tackles in a single season.
The 35-year-old Wagner follows in the footsteps of former Seattle Storm star Sue Bird, another athlete who became a limited partner in the Storm last year.
Other notable athletes who have bought stakes in WNBA teams in recent years include former Miami Heat standout Dwyane Wade (Chicago Sky) and former MLB star Alex Rodriguez, who recently was approved to be controlling owner of the Minnesota Lynx. Wagner has previously said that he's inspired by Commanders limited partner and NBA legend Magic Johnson, a mentor figure who also owns a stake in the Los Angeles Sparks.
Last year, the Storm opened a $64 million performance center as the franchise looks to stay on pace with the league's ongoing facilities arms race.
Wagner, who is entering his second season with the Commanders, has carved out a reputation as one of the most business savvy players in the NFL. After majoring in business entrepreneurship at Utah State, he's currently working toward an MBA from Howard University. He joins the WNBA during a growth period, as an average team is now worth $269 million, according to Sportico's latest WNBA valuations.
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