Giannis Antetokounmpo joins ownership group of Nashville SC

Giannis Antetokounmpo became a part-owner of Nashville SC on Thursday.

Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers Thanasis, Kostas and Alex are among five new faces in the ownership group of Major League Soccer club Nashville SC. The terms of the investment were not disclosed.

The team announced that the Antetokounmpos and Nashville Predators standout Filip Forsberg are now a part of the soccer team’s ownership group. Also in that group, per MLSSoccer.com, are actor Reese Witherspoon, her husband, Jim Toth (a media and technology investor) and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry.

“My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said in a statement. “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!”

That's right. We got the Antetokounbros.

Welcome N to the ownership group, @Giannis_An34, @Thanasis_ante43, @kostas_ante13 and @alex_ante29 pic.twitter.com/K83Rz9Lp7j

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) March 2, 2023

A Music City icon. Nashville's club.

This is the Man In Black kit.https://t.co/Ylj9MxHaGU pic.twitter.com/eynn79wrdD

— Nashville SC (@NashvilleSC) February 17, 2023

ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle reports Antetokounmpo is the latest NBA player to get in on an ownership stake in an MLS team. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant purchased a 5% stake in the Philadelphia Union in 2020 and James Harden acquired a 5% stake in the Houston Dynamo in 2019.

Thanasis Antetokounmpo plays with Giannnis on the Bucks, while Kostas is playing in Turkey and Alex is on the Bucks’ NBA G League team, the Wisconsin Herd. Forsberg is the Predators’ all-time leading scorer and has scored 42 points this season for the team (19 goals, 23 assists).

“Soccer is a global sport, and our newest owners once again reinforce our club’s commitment to being a global team,” principal owner John Ingram said in a statement. “Filip and Giannis are not just amazing athletes — they are ambassadors for their respective sports, role models for millions and advocates in their hometowns and worldwide. We share a common belief that our teams not only play to the highest standards, but also lift up their communities and help those who need it most.”

Nashville SC is one game into its 2023 season and is 1-0 after a season-opening 2-0 win against New York City FC. The team plays in the 30,000-seat GEODIS Park which debuted last season and was built at the Nashville fairgrounds, next door to the historic Bristol Motor Speedway.

The stadium features a 360-degree roof or canopy over the seats with lots of steel struts and brick designed to mimic the industrial area in the neighborhood. Club seats have access to three separate themed-club areas on the west side of the stadium, while the west side features a 65-foot wide concourse.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.