Elizabeth Banks wants to leave a legacy.
As Banks, 50, and Boston Unity Soccer Partners announce their National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team, BOS Nation, Charlie’s Angels the actress tells PEOPLE exclusively why she is investing in the team.
“Actually, at one point I was approached to be an investor in Angel City here in Los Angeles,” Banks says, referring to the team co-founded by Natalie Portman that inspired the HBO documentary series 2023. The city of angels.
Banks says she “didn’t feel authentically connected” to the Los Angeles team. “I mean, I love LA and I live here, but it’s not my home.”
The The Hunger Games the actress says she felt like Angel City “has a lot of amazing women, founders and female investors,” ultimately turning down an offer to invest in Portman’s club, but the call “was the seed that it was possible,” says Banks.
“I thought, gosh, it would be really interesting to do something in the sequel.”
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When Banks learned that Boston was making a bid for the NWSL’s expansion team — which begins play in 2026 — “It felt a lot more right,” says the Massachusetts native.
“I was thinking about my heritage in the place where I grew up that helped me become the woman I am today, and this seemed like a great opportunity,” Banks says of her investment.
Elizabeth Banks arrives at Elizabeth Banks & Archer Roose Wines: A Tribute to the Next Generation of Female Filmmakers during Sundance at UTA House on January 21 in Park City, Utah.
Suzi Pratt/Getty
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Banks says she’s most hopeful that BOS Nation’s presence will allow her to “give back to the community” when the team starts playing in 2026. “I think what I’m really most interested in is how we give back to the community around White Stadium and the city of Boston has such a rich sports history, and I’m really excited that I’m bringing a female-led sports franchise to that city.”
In addition to giving back to the city of Boston, Banks says the investment in the women’s soccer team was aligned with the moral of the “legacy” she wants to leave.
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“I mean, I’m halfway through my life right now, so I really have to start thinking about what kind of impression I’m going to make on my kids and the people that come after me, and I think I can present the city of Boston with an exciting opportunity to support female athletes, that’s a perfect example things I would like to do in the future.”
Jennifer Epstein, controlling owner of BOS Nation, tells PEOPLE that Banks “understands the importance of women’s sports because it is instrumental in advancing gender equality, giving women and girls the opportunity to showcase their talents and truly break down barriers in traditionally male-dominated spaces,” in an exclusive press release.
“Her support in building this team has been incredible and we are incredibly fortunate to work with her,” added Epstein.
When the team takes the field for its first season in 2026, Banks says he hopes the team is “really competitive,” joking, “I mean, if you’re a team in Boston, you better come win.”
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Source: HIS Education