Nash Buys Into New Women's Soccer League

ST. LOUIS (Ticker) -- Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash is best known for his basketball skills, but soccer isn't far behind. According to a report on Monday in the St. Louis Business Journal, Nash has joined in as an investor for the Women's Professional Soccer league.

Nash, who grew up playing soccer in Canada, won't run any of the seven projected franchises, but he will assist in the development of the league. The WPS will be the second attempt at a women's professional league in North America, following the WUSA, which folded after spending more than $40 million during its first campaign.

Combined with his passion for soccer, Nash's inspiration to invest in the league might have come from his twins daughters, according to the report. "Whether I see a return on my investment or not, I'm excited to give it a go and see what impact it can have on young girls in inspiring them to reach for the best," Nash said to the Journal. Nash has soccer running through his blood as his father, John, played professionally in South Africa and England. His brother, Martin, is a member of Canada's national team and his sister, Joann, captained the University of Victoria women's team. The WPS is set to begin play in the spring of 2009 with clubs in Chicago, Boston and New York-New Jersey headlining the list.