WAGs Share Strategies for Landing Professional Athletes, Defending Their Intentions
Women involved with athletes detail their approaches, from social media outreach to elite social circles, while pushing back against 'gold digger' labels.
The pursuit of a relationship with a professional athlete, often perceived as a path to a life of luxury and status, is being demystified by women who have successfully navigated this niche dating scene. These individuals, known as WAGs (wives and girlfriends of athletes), are sharing their strategies, emphasizing bold approaches and authenticity while actively combating the stereotype of being solely interested in financial gain.
Julia Benville, a 29-year-old med student engaged to basketball player Josh Sharma, who plays professionally in Greece, advocates for a direct approach. "Just figure out leagues, look up names and team roster pictures, follow [a player] on social media, send him a message and go from there," Benville advised, encouraging women to "go after him" rather than passively wait for their ideal partner. Benville herself initiated contact with Sharma via Instagram DMs in September 2020. She further shared her advice in a TikTok tutorial titled "How to Become a WAG," which garnered significant attention from women seeking guidance in the current dating landscape. The appeal of the WAG lifestyle, for some, lies in the prospect of romance, financial security, and access to an elite world.
High-profile examples like Taylor Swift, now married to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and Olivia Culpo, partnered with Christian McCaffrey, embody this aspirational image. Professional athletes in major US leagues can earn substantial salaries, with players like Stephen Curry reportedly making over $62 million annually and Karl-Anthony Towns earning more than $57 million. Athletes playing internationally also often secure multi-million dollar contracts.
Benville's own relationship with Sharma began with direct social media outreach, leading to a long-distance romance that included extensive digital communication before their first in-person meeting in 2020. This paved the way for a proposal and an engagement ring from jeweler Calista West. Benville stated that her fiancé is financially blessed and generous, though she and her WAG friends assert their relationships are not solely motivated by wealth, but by genuine connection. "A lot of people think WAGs are bimbos who just want to be with athletes for the lifestyle. But that couldn’t be further from the truth," Benville said.
Other aspiring WAGs employ different tactics. Some focus on scouting potential partners at NCAA Division 1 schools, identifying collegiate stars before they enter the professional draft. Others frequent exclusive social clubs like Zero Bond and Casa Cipriani, or upscale dining establishments such as Royal 35 Steakhouse, Pergola, and Catch, aiming for introductions in sophisticated settings.
However, relationship coach and matchmaker Paige Osorio suggests that the pursuit of a financially stable partner is not inherently negative. "Having financial standards in dating does not make a woman a gold digger," Osorio stated, emphasizing that financial stability is a valid relationship goal. Osorio, who met her own affluent husband through Instagram DMs, advises authenticity over contrived pickup lines. For in-person meetings, she recommends charity galas, alumni events, and upscale hotel bars, stressing the importance of noticing unique qualities in potential partners.
Osorio cautions that wealth alone does not guarantee a good husband, highlighting the importance of moral, emotional, and spiritual alignment. Calli Joy Novak, a marketing specialist and WAG to London Lions guard Joshua O’Garro, echoed this sentiment. She credits shared values, faith, and a mutual drive for success as the foundation of her relationship, noting her own financial independence. "My dad taught me to always consider myself the prize in relationships, no matter how much money or celebrity a man brings to the table," Novak said.
Despite facing online criticism and accusations of being a "gold-digging," Novak remains committed to redefining the WAG narrative. She asserts that her relationship with O'Garro is based on love, not money, and that women involved with athletes can maintain their own ambitions, careers, and families. "Being a WAG is great, but there is more to this life than just marrying rich," Novak concluded.