Candace Parker outlines future business plans in her retirement announcement

The GIST: WNBA legend Candace Parker announced her retirement yesterday, and like everything else she does, Parker did it differently. In the announcement, she outlined plans to ramp up her business aspirations, which include owning a WNBA team and an NBA team. Consider tomorrow fueled.

The plan: Like fellow athlete-entrepreneurs Serena Williams and Sue Bird, Parker has big plans for her post-playing career. In addition to pro basketball ownership, Parker plans on increasing her involvement in broadcasting and production as well as growing her business portfolio.

The resume: With estimated earnings of $8.1M, Parker ranked No. 13 on Forbes’ 2023 list of highest-paid female athletes. With WNBA salaries capped around $200K, that means most of Parker’s earnings come from prestigious sponsorships with Adidas, Gatorade, and CarMax, which sponsored her recent ESPN 30 for 30 documentary.

• Parker has been a trailblazer on and off the court, especially as a brand ambassador. She’s one of only 12 W athletes to release a signature shoe (two with Adidas) and became the first woman athlete on the cover of video game NBA 2K in 2021, illustrating her cultural influence on the game at large.

• Plus, her handle on the business game is evident through her own initiatives. Her lucrative NBA analyst gig with Turner Sports made her the first woman to serve as a color commentator for an NBA All-Star game, and she’s backed startups like trading card exchange Alt and pro women’s volleyball league LOVB.

Zooming out: As women’s sports grow in popularity (and prosperity), athletes are able to make investments like their male counterparts. Women athletes are creating brands that transcend sport, driving progress in the women’s game and beyond. Parker has also argued that widespread visibility for women athletes gives them an assist in the boardroom. A business, man, not a businessman.