The Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is diversifying its investment portfolio by following the example of several other NBA stars and buying a stake in an MLS club. Antetokounmpo recently became a minority owner in Nashville SC.
Antetokounmpo is part of the group of new investors in the MLS side that also includes his brothers and fellow basketball players Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex, as well as Nashville Predators’ alternate captain Filip Forsberg. Nashville SC confirmed the arrival of new minority owners on Thursday but didn’t share the financial terms of the agreement.
“My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece,” said Antetokounmpo in a statement. “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 is the third NBA MVP to have a stake in an MLS franchise. Previously, the Philadelphia 76ers’ James Harden bought a stake in Houston Dynamo, while the Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant owns 5% of Philadelphia Union.
Nashville SC debuted in MLS as an expansion franchise in 2020. The team made the playoffs in each of its three seasons in the league, reaching the quarter-finals twice. Their best regular-season finish was third place in the Eastern Conference standings during the 2021 season.
