Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has expanded his sports portfolio into European football by acquiring an ownership stake in Atlético de Madrid, the club announced on Thursday. The partnership links the back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player and Oklahoma City Thunder guard with one of Spain’s historic clubs, following a growing trend of basketball stars investing in major soccer franchises across the continent.
Gilgeous-Alexander Acquires Stake in Atlético De Madrid
The announcement came through simultaneous posts on social media platform X, where both the player and the Spanish club confirmed the agreement. Financial terms, including the exact financial outlay and the precise percentage of equity acquired by the Canadian guard, were not disclosed in the announcements. The collaboration positions Gilgeous-Alexander among a select group of elite NBA players holding stakes in prominent European football organizations.
I am thrilled to officially join the ownership group of Atlético de Madrid,
Gilgeous-Alexander stated in the club’s announcement. It is a club with a long history at the summit of European soccer, and I thank them for the opportunity to be part of its future.
The agreement formalizes a visible affinity between the player and the club. Prior to the official announcement, Gilgeous-Alexander had already displayed his attachment to the Rojiblancos by wearing the club’s distinctive colors publicly.
Atlético De Madrid Emphasizes Shared Values in Partnership
In response to the investment, Atlético de Madrid released a statement detailing the philosophy behind the partnership. The club emphasized that the alliance is built upon mutual principles rather than purely financial metrics.
This partnership is based on shared values: ambition, excellence, and the conviction that every result must be earned,
the club stated on X.
The move places the Oklahoma City star alongside other high-profile NBA names who have ventured into European soccer ownership. LeBron James previously acquired a stake in Liverpool, while Kevin Durant holds ownership ties with Paris Saint-Germain.
Investment Follows NBA MVP Awards for Gilgeous-Alexander
The investment arrives during a decorated stretch for Gilgeous-Alexander on the hardwood. The guard secured consecutive NBA MVP awards in 2025 and 2026, alongside leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA championship in 2025. By blending his ongoing professional basketball career with international sports ownership, the Canadian guard follows a modern blueprint of athletes using personal success to buy stakes in global sports franchises.
Atlético de Madrid continues its domestic and European campaigns while integrating its new ownership partners into the club’s long-term operational framework.
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