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Alexander Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin buying stake in NWSL's Washington Spirit: 'I support everybody in this town'

Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is branching out into another sport by becoming an investor in the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League.

Drawing inspiration from his mother Tatyana, who won two Olympic gold medals playing basketball for Russia, Ovechkin told ESPN he felt it was important to support women and women's sports, especially in the D.C. community.

"I support everybody in this town," Ovechkin said. "Me and my wife love to go watch a soccer game, watch football, and baseball. We all win. If I have this opportunity, I think it's very important for me to do it, because it also shows we care."

Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has 730 career goals, 164 shy of Wayne Gretzky's all-time record.

Ovechkin becomes the latest in the Spirit's recent wave of celebrity investors, joining former first daughters Chelsea Clinton and Jenna Bush and Olympic gold-medal-winning gymnast Dominique Dawes.

Elsewhere around the league, actress Natalie Portman, skier Lindsey Vonn and tennis stars Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams and Billie Jean King have also invested in NWSL franchises.

Ovechkin said he hopes his schedule will allow him time to meet the players and go to some games. He even hinted he might show off his soccer skills at one of the Spirit's practices.

"I have some friends who play for the national team in Russia," he said. "I love to play soccer in the summer with my friends. I think I'm good, but probably I'm not good."

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