Alex Morgan Transitions from Soccer Champion to Business Innovator

New York, Sep 16 (AP) — Alex Morgan didn’t retire; she pivoted.

The two-time Women's World Cup champion with the United States was never just a soccer player. Since stepping away from the sport, she's channeling her energy into diverse business endeavors.

"It wasn't about leaving something behind and starting fresh the next day," Morgan reflected. "I felt like I was pausing soccer but continuing many other aspects of my life."

The 36-year-old decided to retire from soccer last year when she became pregnant with her second child. She and her husband, Servando Carrasco, already had a daughter, Charlie, while Morgan was playing for the San Diego Wave.

Morgan was among the Wave's inaugural signings when the club entered the National Women's Soccer League in 2021. Throughout her tenure, she played 63 matches, netting 28 goals, and scored the team's inaugural goal.

Recently, the Wave honored Morgan by retiring her No. 13 jersey, and the national team plans to pay tribute to her at a match in October.

While many retired athletes pen memoirs, take up broadcasting, or start podcasts, Morgan took a different path: she co-founded a venture capital firm with Carrasco.

The firm, Trybe Ventures, targets early-stage companies in health tech, sports tech, media, and emerging sports properties. Notably, it has invested in Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women's basketball league.

Morgan has also teamed up with JPMorgan Chase in an initiative to support women’s sports beyond standard sponsorships. Additionally, she became a minority equity partner in the Wave, a meaningful move since she considers San Diego home.

Her transition was far from impulsive. In 2021, Morgan co-founded Togethxr, a sports media and commerce company, alongside athletes Sue Bird, Chloe Kim, and Simone Manuel. The company focuses on amplifying female athletes’ stories and pioneering women's sports media coverage.

Togethxr's "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" T-shirts have impressively generated $6 million in revenue.

Morgan's business ventures fit seamlessly with the growing momentum of women's soccer.

"When looking at the NWSL over the past five years, we’ve seen team valuations multiply, sometimes tenfold, in just a few years. It’s catching the attention of many in the investment community," Morgan explained.

Throughout her career, Morgan appeared in 150 NWSL matches and had stints with the Portland Thorns and the Orlando Pride.

Besides her World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, Morgan earned an Olympic gold medal in 2012 with the United States. She played in 224 matches for the U.S., amassing 123 goals (fifth on the all-time list) and 53 assists. She was named U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in 2012 and 2018.

Beyond the pitch, Morgan championed women’s soccer by advocating for equal pay. The U.S. women filed a lawsuit in 2019, culminating in a groundbreaking pay equity agreement in 2022.

In 2021, she also played a crucial role in bringing to light misconduct and harassment in the NWSL, resulting in comprehensive player protections.

Her entrepreneurial activities reflect her principles of equity and justice, as well as maternal rights. In 2023, she launched the Alex Morgan Foundation to further these commitments.

"Challenging oneself and understanding that you don't have all the answers is essential," Morgan stated. "I'm relatively new to the business world, lacking extensive experience. My roots are in sports. It involves daily learning and not being afraid to seek help or advice. It's about finding mentors willing to guide you." She added, "Working with my husband gives me great confidence and comfort. You already have that sense of teamwork, akin to my experiences in sports." (AP)

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