NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is the newest big name from the world of professional basketball that sees serious upside in investing millions in the long-term success of the MLS.
There is no better proof of relevancy than getting investments from millionaire athletes and celebrities. On Thursday ESPN reported that the Milwaukee Bucks star and his brothers Thanasis and Kostas purchased a minority stake in Western Conference club Nashville SC.
However, he is not the only pro athlete that signed up with Nashville recently, because Filip Forsberg of the Nashville Predators also bought up stakes in the soccer team as well. The All-Star athletes join actress Reese Witherspoon, her husband Jim Toth, and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry as celebrity minority owners in Nashville SC.
Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Kevin Durant and James Harden as owners of MLS teams
Antetokounmpo is not the only NBA star getting involved in the MLS. New Phoenix Suns talent Kevin Durant owns 5% of the Philadelphia Union, which he purchased in 2020, and Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden acquired 5% ownership in Houston Dynamo FC back in 2019.
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson also owns a stake in the Seattle Sounders FC MLS organization.
“My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece. 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,” Antetokounmpo said in a statement.
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