SAN DIEGO -- Former San Diego Wave and U.S. Women’s National Team captain, Alex Morgan has rejoined the Wave, this time as a minority investor and will take an equity stake in the team, the club and the Leichtman-Levine Family announced Tuesday.
Only eight months after hanging up her boots professionally in her farewell match on Sep. 8, 2024, Alex Morgan returns to Snapdragon Stadium and the Wave, joining club ownership.
“I had the idea from a few years ago to want to remain a part of the wave in some capacity,” said Alex Morgan. “Even after hanging up my cleats, and shared that with the Leichtman-Levine Family, and they also shared wanting to have me as an investor and a part-owner.”
Being one of the club’s first major signings back in 2021, Morgan helped place the newly expanded and first-year NWSL team on the map, as her status within soccer and honors at the international level showcased San Diego’s ambitious sporting project.
“Alex has always fought to positively impact this game beyond the pitch,” said Lauren Leichtman, Controlling Owner of San Diego Wave FC. “She used her platform to lead, to advocate, and to build something meaningful in San Diego. Her decision to invest is not only a continuation of her leadership but also a reflection of her belief in what we are building.”
“We kind of shared our passion for the San Diego community, the Wave, and really our plans and what we all wanted to make this amazing club,” said Alex Morgan.
Morgan’s decorated career only grew in San Diego, finishing her time at the club as the Waves’ all-time leader in scoring and assists with 28 goals and 11 assists. Morgan recorded 60 career NWSL goals playing for the San Diego Wave, Orlando Pride, and Portland Thorns while also winning a NWSL Championship back in 2013 for the Thorns.
Contributing to the club’s two major trophy wins, Alex Morgan was pivotal in the Wave’s first-ever trophy with the 2023 NWSL Shield for their first-place finish in the regular season & their 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup victory against Gotham FC, netting the sole goal in the match as she won Most Valuable Player for the game.
Morgan’s time for the USWNT saw her take home two FIFA Women’s World Cups, 2015 & 2019, the 2012 London Olympics gold medal in women’s soccer, and five SheBelieves Cups (2016, 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024).
She finished with 223 caps for the U.S., ninth all-time in USWNT appearances, as she recorded 123 international goals, fifth all-time in USWNT scoring.
The two-time U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year, 2018 & 2022, wasn’t short of personal accolades collected in her iconic career, having been selected six times in the FIFA FIFPro Women's World XI, a four-time CONCACAF Player of the Year, and the 2022 NWSL Golden Boot winner.
Morgan’s impact on women’s soccer and sports extends off the pitch, being a current investor in the 3-on-3 professional women’s basketball league, Unrivaled. Morgan has been an advocate for women's growth in sports with equal rights, pay, and opportunity through ventures in her development of the Alex Morgan Foundation, and as co-founder of TOGETHXR.
“My message to the fans is thank you for riding along this journey for me as a player, now I am one of you,” said Alex Morgan.
“I am watching this incredible team do so many incredible things, and I'm going to do everything in my power to advocate for this team, to uplift this team and organization,” said Alex Morgan. “To continue to make deep roots in this community on behalf of the organization.”