Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins ownership group of Spanish soccer club Atlético Madrid
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard becomes an investor in the La Liga club, which announced the partnership on Thursday.
MADRID · Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined the ownership group of Spanish soccer club Atlético Madrid, the club announced on Thursday. The back-to-back NBA MVP has become an investor and shareholder in the La Liga side. The club said the partnership was grounded in shared values of ambition, excellence and the belief that every result must be earned. Atlético Madrid did not reveal the size of Gilgeous-Alexander's stake.
"I'm excited to officially join Atlético de Madrid's ownership group," Gilgeous-Alexander said in a statement. "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." The club said his investment reflects an interest in its long-term vision and international growth. Gilgeous-Alexander is a four-time All-NBA First-Team player and All-Star who led the league in scoring two seasons ago. Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the Thunder to the NBA title in 2025 and won NBA Finals MVP that year, is the latest North American sports star to take an ownership interest in soccer. He follows the likes of LeBron James, who became a part-owner of Fenway Sports Group in 2021, and NFL great Tom Brady, a minority owner of English second-tier team Birmingham.
He has a long-time connection to the sport, having told GQ magazine in a 2025 fan Q&A that soccer was his first sport growing up in Hamilton, Ontario. "If I could, I would play soccer. Soccer is my first sport," he said. He has also developed a documented friendship with Brazil and Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior, who attended a Thunder game in December 2023. Atletico Madrid, founded in 1903, has won 11 La Liga titles, the most of any Spanish club outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona. The club has also won 10 Copa del Reys, three UEFA Europa Leagues and three UEFA Super Cups. It currently sits second in the La Liga table, five points behind leaders Barcelona, and visits rival Alaves on Saturday.
With files from Yahoo Sports, Sportsnet and USA Today