Though Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most dominant players in the NBA right now, he still has a special place in his heart for the sport of soccer based on some family connections. And now, he’s making a move to make sure soccer is an even bigger part of his life.
This week, the MLS soccer squad Nashville SC officially announced that Giannis Antetokounmpo was joining the team’s ownership group along with his brothers Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex – all of whom also play professional basketball overseas.
“My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece,” said Antetokounmpo said in a team release on Thursday. “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!”
It’s a pretty big announcement, and the sports world had plenty to say about it on Twitter.
Welp, I guess I have no choice but to love Giannis even more. https://t.co/0BuX5TnxSA
— Thomas Northcutt (@RealTCutt) March 2, 2023
Filip Forsberg e os irmãos Thanasis, Kostas, Alex & Giannis Antetokounmpo se tornaram acionistas minoritários do Nashville SC. https://t.co/XrIoWY8hNz pic.twitter.com/PrZZbzcYgy
— Pedro Rondon (@usasupersoccer) March 2, 2023
An incomplete list of other-sport athletes invested in @MLS: @Giannis_An34
@KDTrey5 @PatrickMahomes @JHarden13 @DangeRussWilson @markingramII @MiaHamm @MagicJohnson @Nomar5 @KingHenry_2 @SteveNash
Ken Griffey Jr.
Filip Forsberg
David Beckhamhttps://t.co/JCtUDlBZ0l — Eben Novy-Williams (@novy_williams) March 2, 2023
Huge #EVERYONEN and #MLS news this morning. Game recognizes game
https://t.co/kctOEq9JGD — Jamie Watson (@jamiewatson77) March 2, 2023
Giannis joins a pretty diverse ownership group that also includes Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry as well as actress Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth.