Sports 5 min read By Bethany Hadley
NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Buys Stake in Atlético Madrid
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard has joined the La Liga club's ownership group as a shareholder, Atlético Madrid announced on Thursday.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard who was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player, has become a shareholder in Atlético Madrid, the La Liga club announced on Thursday. The move makes him the latest high-profile athlete to take an ownership stake in European football, following a trend that has gathered pace in recent years.
Atlético Madrid said Gilgeous-Alexander has joined the club's ownership group, though the size of his stake and the financial terms of the investment were not disclosed. The Canadian-born player, who has established himself as one of the NBA's leading talents, becomes the first active NBA MVP to hold a stake in the Spanish club.
The announcement was made by the club on Thursday, with Atlético confirming that the basketball star had acquired a shareholding in the entity that controls the men's first team. The club did not provide further details about the nature of his involvement or whether he would take on any advisory role.
Gilgeous-Alexander's investment adds to a growing list of North American sports figures who have bought into European football clubs. In recent seasons, several NBA and NFL players have taken minority stakes in teams across the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, attracted by the global reach of the sport and the potential for commercial growth.
Atlético Madrid, based in the Spanish capital, is one of the country's most successful clubs, regularly competing in the Champions League and challenging for domestic honours. The club has expanded its commercial operations in recent years, seeking to build its brand in North America and beyond.
The timing of the investment comes as La Liga continues to promote itself in the United States, where football's popularity has risen sharply. Spanish top-flight matches have been staged abroad in recent years, and the league has opened offices in North America to strengthen its presence.
For Gilgeous-Alexander, the move represents a diversification beyond basketball. The 27-year-old has built a reputation as one of the league's most marketable players, with endorsement deals and a growing business portfolio. His involvement with Atlético could open further opportunities in the sports and entertainment sectors.
The club's ownership structure has evolved in recent years, with majority shareholder Miguel Ángel Gil Marín and the Cerezo family continuing to lead the institution. New investors have been brought in to support the club's growth, including the development of its stadium and training facilities.
Atlético's announcement did not specify whether Gilgeous-Alexander's stake was acquired through a personal holding company or as part of a wider investment group. The club also declined to comment on the valuation of the stake or any future plans tied to the investment.
The news was welcomed by supporters, who have seen the club strengthen its international profile in recent seasons. Atlético has a substantial following in the United States, partly due to its success in European competition and its reputation for developing talented players.
Gilgeous-Alexander's investment is not expected to affect his playing career. The guard remains under contract with the Thunder and is preparing for the upcoming NBA season. His representatives did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
The deal underscores the increasing convergence of global sports ownership, where athletes from one discipline invest in another. It also highlights the financial power of the NBA's top stars, who are increasingly using their wealth to acquire stakes in established sports properties.
Atlético Madrid will continue its La Liga campaign this weekend, with the club aiming to compete at the top of the table. The ownership announcement is unlikely to have any immediate impact on team operations, but it adds a notable name to the club's list of backers.
6
