NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a champion with the Oklahoma City Thunder, has officially joined the ownership group of Atletico Madrid, a prominent Spanish football club, as announced on Friday. Hailing from Hamilton, Ontario, Gilgeous-Alexander follows in the footsteps of other North American sports icons like LeBron James and Tom Brady in showing interest in soccer.
Expressing his excitement, Gilgeous-Alexander stated, “I am thrilled to be part of the future of this esteemed club that has a strong history in European football.” Atletico emphasized that the collaboration is based on shared values of ambition, excellence, and the principle that success is earned through hard work.
LeBron James, known for his basketball prowess, recently acquired ownership in the Fenway Sports Group, which holds ownership stakes in the Boston Red Sox and the renowned English Premier League side, Liverpool. Similarly, NFL legend Tom Brady holds a minority share in Birmingham, a team in the English Championship.
While the specific stake acquired by Gilgeous-Alexander was not disclosed by Atletico, it was highlighted that his investment signifies a keen interest in the club’s strategic vision and global expansion. Currently positioned second in the league standings, Atletico is gearing up to face Alaves, a La Liga rival, in an upcoming match on Saturday.