Russell Westbrook is returning to familiar ground with his latest investment.
The NBA player, currently with the Denver Nuggets, began his journey into the league as the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, reports StatMuse. He spent 11 seasons with the team, becoming its all-time leading scorer with 18,859 points, according to separate data from StatMuse.
“I spent a significant amount of time in Oklahoma City, so to me, that place is very special and is like a second home,” Westbrook told Bloomberg.
Driven by his love for the city, Westbrook has reinvested in the community through sports and entertainment, partnering Russell Westbrook Enterprises with Christian Kanady’s firm, Echo. His contribution is estimated to be around $10 million.
“My time with the OKC Thunder shaped so much of who I am, so becoming Christian’s partner and investing in the city’s continued growth is not only exciting personally, but Echo’s Sports and Entertainment vertical is unlike anything else I’ve seen in the space,” Westbrook told The Oklahoman. “The opportunity to collaborate on a shared vision — combining the long-term, purpose-driven work I’m developing at RWE with what Christian is building at Echo and Connective Capital — is something I’m incredibly proud to bring to my entire platform.”
Kanady commented:
“Having Russ and his brand involved with Echo in OKC is truly a game-changer. Russell Westbrook is not only a future Hall of Famer, but also a global icon — dominating the court, walking the runways in Paris, and making a meaningful impact through his Why Not? Foundation.”
The investment plans include building a stadium specifically for Oklahoma City Energy FC. Echo also has a majority stake in the team. Additionally, the commitment will support “dining, retail, and community spaces” across 40 acres located near the stadium.
The stadium is projected to open to the public by 2027, with construction set to begin in 2025
