Renee Montgomery, a former WNBA standout drafted fourth overall by the Atlanta Dream in 2009, has transitioned from star player to successful team co-owner and executive. After retiring in 2021, she invested in the Atlanta Dream in 2021 alongside real estate investor Larry Gottesdiener and Suzanne Abair, president of Northland Investment Corp. The group purchased the team for between $7 million and $10 million, marking a significant move in Montgomery’s post-playing career.

Under Montgomery’s leadership as vice president and owner, the Atlanta Dream’s valuation has skyrocketed to an impressive $280 million by 2026. Montgomery has emphasized her commitment to the city of Atlanta, describing a desire to deeply integrate the team into the community and culture. Her experience moving from the locker room to the boardroom involved a steep learning curve, but collaboration with her investment partners fueled the vision to elevate the franchise’s profile.

The Atlanta Dream is currently a strong contender in the WNBA Finals, leading the Golden State Valkyries 2-1 as of now with star player Angel Reese joining the roster earlier this year. The team recently sold out the 17,000-seat State Farm Arena for Game 3, highlighting its growing popularity and local support. Montgomery highlighted that the sellout was intended to give more Atlanta fans the opportunity to experience the finals live.

Montgomery’s journey is historic as she is the first former WNBA player to own and operate a team franchise, setting a precedent for athlete ownership in women’s pro sports. Her investment not only shows astute business foresight but also signifies the expanding valuation and prominence of the WNBA and its franchises. Montgomery’s story underscores the increasing intersections of sports, entrepreneurship, and community engagement in the evolving sports ownership landscape.