With purpose and passion, Renee Montgomery is shattering glass ceilings and changing the world

Whether she’s hosting her sports, business and entertainment podcast “Montgomery and Co” with her family, launching her new C-Suite 21 fashion line, talking basketball as one of the hosts of TNT’s Unrivaled pregame show, delivering motivational speeches or making significant decisions as the Atlanta Dream’s vice president, part-owner and investor, Montgomery is a one-woman hurricane — constantly in motion.

After all, it’s not easy to glam up someone who’s always on the go and transforming the world with positivity, passion and persistence. Montgomery is shattering glass ceilings while using her success to lift others. The former University of Connecticut and WNBA standout is a wife, daughter, sister, trailblazer, activist, boss and inspiration.

Sitting in a make-up chair — with a phone pressed to her ear, of course — as she prepared to host TNT’s Unrivaled pregame show during the opening weekend, Montgomery spoke exclusively with The Next about her transformative life after basketball.

Her glowing smile lights up television screens from coast to coast, shines brightly and boldly in boardrooms and sparks joy; Montgomery is shaping a future through scholarships, storytelling and advocacy where young people — especially young girls of color — can dream big and achieve even bigger.

“I take being a role model very seriously because I think that it helps to be able to see something you want to be and to understand that ‘I’ve seen this person do it before, so why not me?'” Montgomery said. “Sometimes, if you’ve never seen it before, you don’t even know if it can happen. … Everything I do is about shifting perspectives. Change your perspective on how you look at success. Change your perspective on generational wealth. Change your perspective on what you can do and the jobs you can apply for … I’d like to challenge that thought and tell people to go higher so I feel a certain level of responsibility.”

---

Order ‘Becoming Caitlin Clark’ and save 30%

Howard Megdal, founder and editor of The Next and The IX, just announced his latest book. It captures both the historic nature of Caitlin Clark’s rise and the critical context over the previous century that helped make it possible. Interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder, C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and so many others were vital to the process.

If you enjoy his coverage of women’s basketball every Wednesday at The IX, you will love “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar.” Click the link below to preorder and enter MEGDAL30 at checkout.

---

In 2021, Montgomery made history as part of the ownership group with Larry Gottesdiener and Suzanne Abair of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. Montgomery became the first former WNBA player to become an owner and executive of a WNBA franchise. As one of the few Black women to own a professional sports team, Montgomery’s accomplishment as an executive is game-changing.

Montgomery, drafted fourth overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Minnesota Lynx, could have easily been chilling on a beach and sipping her favorite fruity beverage after retirement following numerous career highlights. After scoring 1,990 career points and leading UConn’s 2009 national championship team, Montgomery won WNBA championships with the Lynx in 2015 and 2017. Montgomery was named a WNBA All-Star in 2011 and Sixth Woman of the Year in 2012.

Instead, the 38-year-old Sagittarius is just getting started.

With an athlete’s mindset, complemented by the confident leadership she developed as UConn’s former team captain, Montgomery isn’t just present during meetings and the decision-making process but a strong and trusted presence who influences moves. She is determined to help the Dream win a WNBA championship sooner rather than later.

“When I look at my life, I feel like there’s so much more I want to do,” Montgomery said. “There are so many more plans, dreams and hopes that I have, and it excites me about what’s been accomplished, even just my basketball career. I’m proud of the effort and energy I put into being the best player I could be. That was my whole goal: Playing the game the right way, being the best teammate I can be and being the best point guard I can be. I’m proud of my basketball career and then, after retirement, of entering the business world and the C-suite. It’s just a different playing field. … I’m excited for the future.”

Leaving a legacy beyond the basketball court, Montgomery’s transition from player to executive in the WNBA demonstrates the diverse career paths available. With a purpose beyond self, Montgomery enthusiastically promotes excellence while showcasing a limitless drive that ignites transformative change.

Montgomery embraced the power of vulnerability when she released the documentary “A Radical Act” in October 2024. The film provided an unfiltered glimpse into the powerful moments of Montgomery’s championship career and the broader world of women’s basketball. In addition, the film showcased Montgomery’s courage and grit to drive societal change through her community work after opting out of the 2020 WNBA season to focus on activism.

This was another opportunity for Montgomery to use her inspirational platform to educate. While sharing her journey, she reminded viewers of the potential within each individual to make a difference. Her wife, Sirena Grace, shot most of the footage in the film, proving how powerful an iPhone can be.

Her life growing up in St. Albans, West Virginia, has always been marked by being resilient, tenacious and gritty. It provided the foundation for the film, which was ultimately produced by LeBron James’ company UNINTERRUPTED in association with Storyform, P&G Studios and the WNBA.

---

Add Locked On Women’s Basketball to your daily routine

Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.

---

James and Montgomery connected after she quote-tweeted his post about buying the Atlanta Dream, which had been put up for sale by former owner and ex-Senator Kelly Loeffler. Loeffler faced backlash for repeatedly opposing the Black Lives Matter movement during the turbulent summer of 2020 when the WNBA played its season in Orlando, affectionately known as “The Wubble,” amid the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide protests following the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

Speaking up has always been part of Montgomery’s DNA.

Part of Montgomery’s tweet on July 7, 2020, to Loeffler, read, “I am pretty sad to see that my team ownership is not supportive of the movement & all that it stands for. I was already sitting out this season & this is an example of why.”

James’ tweet planted a seed that provided Montgomery with more clarity on her why. During her time away from the court, Montgomery knew she could be the type of owner who supports the same things the players believe in. In addition to developing a friendship, James connected Montgomery to the right people; the rest is history.

“I would look at (Sirena), like, what are you doing?” Montgomery said of her wife’s incessant recording of the numerous moments around the house. “And she would say, you’re going to need this, because one day, someone’s going to make a documentary about you … I just didn’t see how big it was going to be because in my mind I had just opted out of the WNBA, something I worked my whole life to get into. I was thinking more about this. For example, this will be a tough year because basketball is all I’ve done my whole life. I was thinking more about that. She understood the magnitude of the moment.”

The pair, married in 2020, also founded Think Tank Productions because Montgomery recognized a void in the media space. She saw an opportunity to create narrative social change and provide a supportive platform for creators of color to share their stories, inspire future generations and elevate culture through authentic representation.

Working in Atlanta, a cultural mecca, Montgomery’s influence is felt in the community by the next generation of scholars. She is closely aligned with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), especially since her parents, Ron and Bertlela Montgomery, are graduates of West Virginia State, and her sister, Nicole, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which celebrated its 117th year on Jan. 15, 2025.

Montgomery spent much of her youth attending basketball camps on West Virginia State’s campus, where her mother taught for over 30 years. Surrounded by the rich culture and supportive HBCU environment, Montgomery learned early about the value of community and perseverance. Even as a trailblazer in the business world, she remains deeply connected to her roots, channeling her energy into initiatives that impact others.

At Dream games, which feel like a summertime block party, her influence is unmistakable: the sold-out arena crackles with energy as fans dance to live music, laugh with friends and connect over shared pride and a contagious spirit of camaraderie. Montgomery and the Dream achieved another milestone by selling out their 2025 season tickets for the second straight season. This was before the Dream signed a trio of free agents with championship experience.

Even bigger than that is her intentional investment in the community by providing two $5,000 scholarships through the Renee Montgomery Foundation’s Last Yard Scholarship to Spelman College and Morehouse College students. Students from Edward Waters College in Tallahassee and Morris Brown College in Atlanta have also received scholarships in the past. These moments swell Montgomery with pride. Montgomery’s commitment to this cause is driven by her belief in the power of education and sports. It also shows the students that their dreams matter. It also demonstrates they are valued, seen and heard.

---

Order ‘Rare Gems’ and save 30%

Howard Megdal, founder and editor of The Next and The IX, released his latest book on May 7, 2024. This deeply reported story follows four connected generations of women’s basketball pioneers, from Elvera “Peps” Neuman to Cheryl Reeve and from Lindsay Whalen to Sylvia Fowles and Paige Bueckers.

If you enjoy his coverage of women’s basketball every Wednesday at The IX, you will love “Rare Gems: How Four Generations of Women Paved the Way for the WNBA.” Click the link below to order and enter MEGDAL30 at checkout.

---

“I saw excellence at a high level,” Montgomery shared. “I grew up on West Virginia State’s campus. I saw their facilities. I practiced in their facilities. I worked out in their facilities. Then I went to UConn and saw how dramatically different our facilities were. So, you understand that HBCU athletes are expected to compete at the same level without the same resources. With our scholarship, we try to help level the playing field a little bit, one athlete at a time … Just to let them know somebody is thinking about them. Secondly, to encourage them to get that last yard.”

In addition to the scholarships, she launched the Renee Montgomery Foundation in 2019 to promote equality in women’s sports and champion for social empowerment. In 2021, she became the first female team owner in the Fan-Controlled Football League.

Montgomery feels fortunate to live in an era where she could aspire to play in the WNBA when she played high school basketball. She’s also excited to see how the increased investment in women’s athletics has made a huge difference in society.

As an owner navigating the challenging enormity of free-agency, contracts, budgets and roster decisions, Montgomery’s days are filled with tough calls and careful planning. Yet, she beams with pride, reflecting on how far women’s basketball has come. No longer are players forced to settle for meager salaries; now, they can thrive in a game that finally feels like it’s catching up to their long-overdue worth.

“I love everything happening in women’s basketball right now, like, everything from brands getting more involved and seeing more players on commercials to new leagues erupting like Unrivaled to even the viewership and attendance,” Montgomery excitedly shared. “Everything is up in women’s basketball. You can’t deny what’s happening now. When I was an athlete, we knew we had a premier product. We knew that we were the best of the best. We understood the value of our game, but the world around us wasn’t caught up yet.

“I’m excited for the players to be able to be playing in front of these large crowds. I’m excited for the players to be able to have people know their storylines and journey. I’m excited for the players to be able to be paid better. I’m just excited for the players because this is everything that we would have wanted, and this is Everything that the players who came before me helped build. I feel proud of where the game is.”

Beneath her caring heart, where she leads with love and positivity, lies a dynamic soul where her passion meets purpose for progress. Montgomery uses her influence to empower others to achieve their dreams or accomplish what they once thought impossible. It’s the only way she knows how to stay focused and tune out any haters or doubters. Montgomery doesn’t have time for negativity.

“That was the whole concept of life because it threw me curve balls growing up,” Montgomery said. “I mean, I’m a 5’6 point guard trying to reach the highest level. I wasn’t necessarily gifted with height or other athleticism or things of that nature, but I had a drive. I stayed positive throughout every obstacle of my life. … I understand that the things that spread the quickest may not be the most positive messages or people.

“I truly believe in how I manifest things, speaking into existence, even if it’s not here yet. I’m only going to speak positively as if it will happen. You know, we will win a championship. It’s not, maybe we won’t. It’s like we will. It’s like just having that mindset of speaking life into myself while speaking life into others.”

Montgomery’s career journey helps the next generation by fueling their ambition and enhancing their belief that they can achieve greater success.

She’s not dwelling on the legacy she’s building or the barriers she’s breaking because her focus is locked on what comes next. Like a championship point guard, Montgomery is too driven and too immersed ever to stay still.

---

The Next, a 24/7/365 women’s basketball newsroom

The Next: A basketball newsroom brought to you by The IX. 24/7/365 women’s basketball coverage, written, edited and photographed by our young, diverse staff and dedicated to breaking news, analysis, historical deep dives and projections about the game we love.

---