In today’s WNBA landscape, league salaries alone often aren’t enough. As a result, many players build their wealth off the court, and as those portfolios grow, investing in ownership stakes has become a smart next step. One WNBA player doing exactly that is Chinese superstar Li Yueru.

According to the Chinese Women’s Hoop Show page on X, Li Yueru has taken a major step off the court. The Dallas Wings center has founded her own team, 5 Wins, which will compete in Belgrade, Serbia.

According to the same post, Li Yueru had the option to purchase an existing club but chose to build one from the ground up instead. Adding serious credibility to the project, former Serbian national team head coach Marina Maljkovic will partner with Li in the venture. Li also made it clear that she won’t suit up for the team, serving strictly as an owner rather than a player.

With this move, Li Yueru joins a growing list of WNBA stars investing beyond the hardwood. Angel Reese owns a stake in DC Power FC, Sabrina Ionescu is an investor in Bay FC, and Aliyah Boston holds equity in Boston Legacy FC. It’s clear that WNBA stars are thinking beyond their playing days, using these moves to build long-term futures off the court.

Last season in the W was quite eventful for Li Yueru in many ways. She opened the year with the Seattle Storm, but shocked the league by requesting a trade after averaging just 8.7 minutes per game. And just like that, after only eight appearances in Seattle, Li was dealt to the Dallas Wings, who sent a 2026 WNBA second-round pick and a 2027 WNBA third-round pick to acquire her.

After the move to Dallas, Li Yueru settled in nicely, averaging 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while also showing the ability to stretch the floor out to the three-point line. She appeared in 22 games for the Dallas Wings, playing alongside star pick Paige Bueckers, before an ACL sprain prematurely ended her season.

She is expected to return from injury and is likely to feature in the upcoming edition of Unrivaled, suiting up for Mist BC alongside Breanna Stewart, Veronica Burton, Alanna Smith, Allisha Gray, and Wings teammate Arike Ogunbowale.

That said, this offseason will look different yet again for the Chinese star, with free agency now on the horizon.

Where Will Li Yueru Play Next Season?

Li faces an uncertain future with free agency approaching and an expansion draft looming, as the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo prepare to build their inaugural rosters. That said, there’s a growing belief she’ll return to the Dallas Wings. Dallas gave up significant draft capital to acquire her, and it would make little sense to let her walk, especially with Li entering the offseason as an exclusive rights free agent.

In fact, Jess Koffie of ClutchPoints believes Li Yueru could be selected by the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft.

“Li Yueru adds a distinct skill set to Toronto’s frontcourt: international experience combined with polished interior scoring. She offers reliable rebounding, strong finishing near the rim, and the ability to operate as a complementary post alongside Stevens or Sabally. Her size alone impacts shot selection for opponents, while her footwork and soft touch allow Toronto to diversify offensive sets in the paint,” Koffie wrote.

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He continued, “Defensively, Li provides rim protection and positional awareness, allowing the Tempo to implement switches or double teams without compromising the interior. Her presence adds depth and flexibility, letting Toronto rotate bigs to manage fatigue or target specific matchups. Li’s selection highlights Toronto’s focus on blending physicality, technique, and international experience.”

Everyone in Dallas will be hoping they get to keep the Paige–Yueru pairing intact. In fact, there’s a growing belief that Li Yueru could be among the players the Dallas Wings choose to protect ahead of the expansion draft. That said, it’s all speculation for now. Until a new WNBA CBA is finalized, any real clarity around the expansion draft remains on hold.