U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher talks bronze medal, Michele Kang investment [Video]

Ilona Maher became one of the Paris Olympics’ heroes after leading the U.S. rugby team to its first-ever Olympic medal for men or women.

The 27-year-old, frequently clad in bright red lipstick, helped Team USA bring home the bronze medal in a nail-biting win over Australia on Tuesday.

Following her win, the Vermont native spoke to CNBC about investments in women’s sports, how the victory will help rugby grow and how she has built a brand that includes millions of social media followers.

Maher said she has been focused on the 2024 Summer Olympics for the past three years — and the team’s existence after the games was not certain.

“Our coach said to us if we don’t win a medal, we might not have a program next year, and so that really stuck with me, those words, and so we delivered,” Maher said.

Fresh off the win against Australia, …