Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the latest athletes to become a minority investor.
ESPN reports that the Milwaukee Bucks star has acquired a stake in Major League Soccer (MLS) club Nashville SC. Alongside Antetokounmpo in the group are his brothers and basketball players Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex.
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The family investment pays homage to their late father Charles, who played professionally in Nigeria and Germany, the outlet notes.
“My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said, according to the outlet. “I’ve always had the dream of owning a soccer team. When my brothers and I explored Nashville SC, we knew it was a team and a city that we wanted to get involved with. I couldn’t be more excited to join the Boys in Gold, and can’t wait to come to a match at GEODIS Park soon!”
“I know he’ll be so proud of us today, that this is happening,” Thanasis chimed in and told ESPN. “It’s not just the investment part of it. There’s a part of it that’s a legacy, that for us, it’s for generations to come that we’re part of this.”
“I want people globally to know about Nashville and see the soccer team. So it’s a thing for us. It’s big,” he added.
Additionally, among the minority investors is Nashville Predators’ player Filip Forsberg.
“Soccer is a global sport, and our newest owners once again reinforce our club’s commitment to being a global team,” principal owner John Ingram said in a statement, per the outlet. “Filip and Giannis are not just amazing athletes — they are ambassadors for their respective sports, role models for millions, and advocates in their hometowns and worldwide. We share a common belief that our teams not only play to the highest standards, but also lift up their communities and help those who need it most.”
MLS has witnessed a trend of pro athletes investing in the league’s teams, which continues with the recent addition of new investors.
As AfroTech previously reported, in 2020, Kevin Durant bought a 5% stake in the Philadelphia Union. On the other hand, ESPN reports James Harden acquired 5% of the Houston Dynamo FC in 2019.
Before that, according to the outlet, Seattle Sounders FC welcomed Russell Wilson as one of its stakeholders.
