NBA Superstar Makes Shocking Move Into Soccer Ownership Empire
Basketball superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has revealed his entry into Chelsea Women's ownership group, aiming to champion women's athletics and "elevate the sport to unprecedented levels."
The 2021 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player teams up with companion and Reddit co-creator Alexis Ohanian in the club's ownership structure. Ohanian acquired a 10% share in the eight-time Women's Super League (WSL) title holders last year for approximately £20 million ($27.2 million).
The financial details of Antetokounmpo's investment in Chelsea Women and his ownership percentage remain undisclosed, though the Milwaukee Bucks star shared a statement on social media to reveal his remarkable new business endeavor.
"I feel privileged and honored to collaborate with my friend Alexis Ohanian, becoming part of Chelsea Women's ownership group, a legendary club founded on dedication, superiority and championship mentality," Antetokounmpo posted on X.
"Chelsea's legacy is undeniable, and I'm thrilled to help shape the future by fostering continued expansion and influence in women's athletics. This represents determination, heritage and elevating the sport to unprecedented levels. Up the Chels!"
Antetokounmpo No Stranger to Soccer Ownership
Antetokounmpo No Stranger to Soccer Ownership
Antetokounmpo's stake in Chelsea Women marks not the 31-year-old's initial foray into the football realm. In 2023, the NBA title winner, alongside his siblings Thanasis, Kostas and Alex, became part of Nashville SC's ownership collective.
Upon finalizing the agreement, Antetokounmpo enthusiastically expressed his bond with the sport. "My dad played professional football, and it was the initial sport I became passionate about in Greece. I've always harbored the aspiration of possessing a football club."
Antetokounmpo fulfilled that aspiration with the MLS franchise, and now three years afterward, he's incorporated Chelsea Women into his varied investment collection. Ohanian openly welcomed his companion to the club's ownership structure with a throwback photo of the two-time NBA MVP in the locker room at Stamford Bridge.
Antetokounmpo can now support the defending WSL champions, who presently occupy third position in the standings, trailing league-leaders Manchester City by 12 points. The squad's upcoming fixture is scheduled for Feb. 15, when they welcome a struggling Liverpool team.
Antetokounmpo One of Many U.S.-Based Stars Investing in European Soccer
Antetokounmpo One of Many U.S.-Based Stars Investing in European Soccer
The benchmark for prominent figures investing in European clubs was established by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2021. The two entertainment industry stars acquired Wrexham, Wales' most historic team, and have subsequently elevated the Red Dragons from National League obscurity to the EFL Championship, where they pursue a remarkable fourth-straight promotion to the Premier League.
Two years following, seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady obtained a minority ownership position in English club Birmingham City. The Blues captured the EFL League One title last season and rejoined the Championship for 2025–26.
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James might have initiated this movement, however, in 2011 when he invested in Liverpool. Fellow NBA sensation Kevin Durant also holds a minority stake in current French and European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Antetokounmpo aims to replicate the achievements of his fellow athletes and proprietors with Chelsea Women, while Nashville SC prepares for the quickly approaching 2026 MLS campaign.