The back-to-back NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is officially an owner in Spanish soccer, making waves across the sports world. It was announced this past Thursday that the Oklahoma City Thunder star has joined the ownership group of La Liga’s Atlético Madrid. This isn’t just a casual investment either; SGA is stepping in as an investor and shareholder in one of Europe’s most storied clubs.
SGA’s Vision for the Future
Gilgeous-Alexander himself didn’t mince words about why he’s diving into the deep end of European football. “I’m excited to officially join Atlético de Madrid’s ownership group,” he said in a statement. You can feel the passion coming through there, right? He knows this isn’t some small-time operation either, recognizing it as “a club with a long-standing presence at the top of European football.” For a guy who’s been at the absolute peak of the NBA, leading the league in scoring two seasons ago and snatching both an NBA title and Finals MVP with the Thunder in 2024-25, his appreciation for top-tier competition is clear. He closed by saying he’s “grateful for the opportunity to be part of its future,” which tells you everything about his long-term vision.
Atlético Madrid’s Global Powerhouse Status
Let’s be real, SGA isn’t just joining any old team; he’s linking up with an absolute giant. Atlético de Madrid, founded all the way back in 1903, has a trophy cabinet that screams elite. We’re talking 11 league titles, 10 Copa del Reys, 3 UEFA Europa Leagues, and 3 UEFA Super Cups. That’s a serious legacy, and they’re still performing at an insane level. Right now, they’re sitting in second place in the La Liga table, trailing only Barcelona by five points. Plus, they’ve had legendary players rock their kit, like Luis Aragonés, Jan Oblak, and Antoine Griezmann, just to name a few. SGA knows how to pick winners, and this move shows he’s serious about associating with excellence across all sports.
From the Pitch to the Hardwood, and Back Again
What’s super cool about this move is SGA’s own history with soccer. Turns out, the guy who’s a four-time All-NBA First-Team player and All-Star actually started on the pitch! He revealed in a 2025 GQ interview that soccer was his first sport growing up in Hamilton, Ontario. He’s even got a connection to another European football giant, having developed a friendship with Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior and linked up with him in Spain a couple years ago. So this isn’t just a business decision; it’s a full-circle moment for a true multi-sport athlete who’s now shaping the future of the game he loved as a kid. This isn’t just a big-name athlete investing; it’s a statement about where global sports ownership is heading, and SGA is leading the charge.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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