Partnership with tennis legend strengthens franchise momentum after award-winning inaugural season
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 22, 2025) — Carolina Ascent FC today announced that Martina Navratilova, one of the most iconic figures in women’s sports, has joined the club as a minority owner. This milestone builds on a historic inaugural season, capped by Carolina Ascent’s winning one of the most prestigious awards in professional soccer, the USL Super League’s “Players Shield,” as well as the League’s 2024/25 Organization of the Year.
Navratilova, not only a tennis legend, but an inspirational leader known for her tenacity, candor and motivation, adds a new dimension to Carolina Ascent’s ownership.
“Carolina Ascent’s mission to become one of the top women’s clubs in the world resonated with me immediately. This team and its leadership are determined to compete at the highest level. I’m excited for the opportunity to become a part of it,” said Navratilova.
“Martina Navratilova is widely regarded as one of the greatest female tennis players in history, revolutionizing the sport with her powerful serve and aggressive playing style. That description fits well with our team’s approach to soccer,” said Dan DiMicco, majority owner of Carolina Ascent FC. “We are honored to welcome Martina to the Carolina Ascent family.”
Navratilova joins a committed ownership group that includes Dan DiMicco, Jim and Kelly McPhilliamy, and the Empower HER Fund, LLC, a woman-led investment group of community leaders. Together, this diverse ownership team is driving the Ascent’s mission to elevate women’s soccer and strengthen the Carolinas.
Since debuting in August 2024, Carolina Ascent has rapidly become a model franchise for women’s professional soccer:
● Players’ Shield winners as the league’s top regular-season team
● League leaders in attendance in their first season
● Coach of the Year, Head Coach Philip Poole
● Golden Glove, Goalie Meagan McClelland
● Defender of the Year and Golden Playmaker award winner, Defender Jill Aguilera
Carolina Ascent FC will kick off its second season at home on September 6, 2025 at American Legion Memorial Stadium. After a history-making inaugural season, the team is committed to building on its success and inspiring fans across the Carolinas.
For more information about Carolina Ascent FC, visit www.carolinaascent.com.
About Martina Navratilova
The most successful female tennis player of the Open era, Martina Navratilova amassed an unmatched number of professional records over the course of a career that spanned an amazing four decades. Legendary tennis champion Martina Navratilova is undeniably one of the greatest athletes of all time. Over a spectacular career that has spanned four decades, Martina won an unprecedented 59 Grand Slam titles, including a record nine Wimbledon singles championships, as well as 167 singles and 177 doubles championships. Her decades-long rivalry with Chris Evert is considered one of the greatest in sports history, with Martina sporting a 43-37 advantage.
Over the course of her tennis career, Martina was distinguished as the WTA’s “Tour Player of the Year” seven times, named the Associated Press’s “Female Athlete of the Year,” and declared one of the “Top Forty Athletes of All-Time” by Sports Illustrated. After being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, she continued to participate in WTA events, as well as the 2004 Olympic Games. As she approached her 50th birthday in 2006, she decided to leave the tour circuit behind after her final Grand Slam, a mixed-doubles championship with Bob Bryan at the U.S. Open. Still in phenomenal shape on the verge of 50, she became the oldest player to ever win a Grand Slam title.
Martina provides her articulate, intelligent and outspoken commentary to the Tennis Channel’s audience during its coverage of the Grand Slams. She is an ambassador for the WTA and is a regular commentator for the BBC and Tennis Channel at Wimbledon. Martina also works for Amazon Prime Video and worked for them for the first time at Flushing Meadows for the 2019 US Open. In September 2019, she also starred in the Netflix comedy drama “The Politician.”
About Carolina Ascent FC
Carolina Ascent FC is one of nine teams in the Gainbridge Super League, a Division One professional women’s soccer league entering its second season alongside the NWSL in the women’s soccer pyramid. Carolina Ascent is reaching new heights for women’s soccer. Step by step, the club will take strides to grow the women’s game, elevate the community, and support a more sustainable future for residents of the Carolinas. The team plays all home games at the historic American Legion Memorial Stadium. Visit CarolinaAscent.com to join the Climb, stay updated on club news and purchase season tickets. Social media page links: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
