NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander buys stake in Atletico Madrid

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard has become the latest North American star to take a business interest in football. | Photo Credit: AP

The 2024/25 NBA champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined the ownership group at Atletico Madrid, the Spanish top-flight club announced on Friday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder point guard has become the latest North American sports star to take a business interest in football, following the likes of LeBron James and Tom Brady.

“This is a club with a long-standing presence at the top of European football, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of its future,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

Atletico said the partnership was “grounded in shared values: ambition, excellence and the belief that every result must be earned.”

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Previously, LeBron James became a part-owner of Fenway Sports Group in 2021, the conglomerate that owns the Boston Red Sox and the iconic Premier League club Liverpool. Meanwhile, the NFL great Tom Brady is a minority owner of the English second-tier team Birmingham.

Atletico did not reveal how big a stake the back-to-back NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander had taken. “His investment reflects an interest in the club’s long-term vision and international growth,” it said.

Atletico, second in the standings, visits La Liga rival Alaves on Saturday.