And refreshingly, its not just big-name European clubs who have benefitted - plenty of NBA figures have invested in domestic North American soccer - including MLS, USL and NWSL.

Shai follows LeBron James at Liverpool, Kevin Durant at PSG and the Philadelphia Union, Steve Kerr at Mallorca, Jason Kidd at Everton, Udonis Haslem at Ipswich Town, and the Antetokounmpo brothers at Nashville SC. Giannis has also joined the Chelsea Womens ownership group.

Pau Gasol is backing Spains womens league with a €55 million investment, and Chris Paul has put money into Angel City. My count of publicly reported stakes reaches 24 NBA players, former players and coaches, across MLS, the NWSL, the Premier League, La Liga and Liga MX.

Add the NBA owners who also hold soccer stakes, and the overlap between the two sports money is really striking.

Here's the full list as of October 9, 2026:

United States and Canada

• Magic Johnson: Los Angeles FC (MLS), founding owner, 2014

• Steve Nash: Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), joined the ownership group ahead of the club's MLS entry; Soccer America dates it to 2008

• Carmelo Anthony: Puerto Rico FC (NASL), founded and owned the club in 2015 (no longer operating)

• James Harden: Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Houston Dash (NWSL), 5% of the group controlling both clubs, 2019

• Kevin Durant: Philadelphia Union (MLS), 5% in 2020; NJ/NY Gotham FC (NWSL), 2022

• Dwyane Wade: Real Salt Lake (MLS) and Utah Royals (NWSL), via Smith Entertainment Group, 2022*

• Giannis Antetokounmpo: Nashville SC (MLS), March 2023; Chelsea Women, February 2026

• Thanasis and Kostas Antetokounmpo: Nashville SC, March 2023

• Russell Westbrook: OKC United (USL Championship), 2024

• Jalen Williams: OKC United (USL Championship), June 2026

• Chris Paul: Angel City FC (NWSL), September 2025

• Pau Gasol: Bay FC (NWSL)

Overseas

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Atlético Madrid, October 2026 (stake undisclosed)

• Udonis Haslem: Ipswich Town, minority owner since September 2025, disclosed in August 2026

• LeBron James: Liverpool, minority owner since 2011; Fenway Sports Group partner since 2021

• Kevin Durant: Paris Saint-Germain, June 2025

• Steve Nash and Steve Kerr: RCD Mallorca (Nash from 2016, Kerr from 2023)

• Russell Westbrook, Larry Nance Jr. and T.J. McConnell: Leeds United, 2023

• Jason Kidd: Everton, April 2025, via Friedkin Group's Roundhouse Capital Holdings

• Victor Oladipo, Richard Hamilton and Shawn Marion: Club Necaxa (Mexico), 2021

• Tony Parker: OL Groupe, parent of Lyon and OL Reign; reported in 2020 (historical)

• Pau Gasol: Liga F (Spain), leading a €55 million investment with Fortified Partners, from 2026-27

The business side

• Stan Kroenke: Arsenal, Arsenal Women, Colorado Rapids

• Wes Edens: Aston Villa

• Josh Harris and David Blitzer: Crystal Palace (Blitzer also holds several European stakes)

• Ryan Smith: Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals

• Todd Boehly and Mark Walter: Chelsea (both sold their stakes in September 2026)

• Stephen Pagliuca: Atalanta

• James Pallotta: formerly AS Roma

• Joe Tsai and Peter Guber: LAFC

( *Note: Smith Entertainment sold their stake in RSL in April 2025)