WASHINGTON, May 25 (UPI) -- Former television executive Sheila Johnson has become the first African-American woman to own a piece of a franchise in the WNBA.
Johnson, whose former husband, Bob Johnson, owns the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats, Tuesday became part owner of the Washington Mystics. Sheila Johnson co-founded Black Entertainment Television with Bob Johnson and is a partner of Washington-base Lincoln Holdings LLC.
"I am extremely proud to make this announcement," former Mystics owner Abe Pollin told a Tuesday news conference. "I have known Sheila Johnson for 20 years and I have been absolutely impressed with her enthusiasm and business acumen. She will be a tremendous owner, and most importantly she is the ideal person to continue to guide this team that Irene and I founded."
Johnson becomes president, managing partner and governor for the Mystics.
She is believed to be the first African-American woman to be an owner/partner in three professional sports franchises, including the Washington Wizards and Washington Capitals.
