NBA MVP SGA Acquires Stake in Atlético Madrid, Marking Cross-Sport Investment
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has officially joined the ownership group of Atlético Madrid, becoming a shareholder of the La Liga club in a move announced Thursday. The 28-year-old Canadian guard, who captured the NBA championship with the Thunder in 2025 and won back-to-back regular season MVP awards, is now expanding his portfolio from the basketball court to European football. Atlético Madrid confirmed the investment through an official statement, welcoming the two-time MVP to their ownership structure while revealing that specific shareholding details and financial terms were not disclosed. SGA expressed his excitement about the opportunity, praising Atlético Madrid as a club that has consistently maintained top-tier status in European football and thanking the organization for allowing him to be part of their future development. The Thunder superstar has maintained close ties to football throughout his life, having revealed in a 2025 GQ interview that the sport was his first athletic pursuit growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, helping him develop his footwork and coordination. His connections within the football world include friendships with Real Madrid's Vinícius Jr. and Canadian national team defender Alphonso Davies, further demonstrating his deep engagement with the beautiful game.
Key Points
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 28, became a shareholder of Atlético Madrid on Thursday, October 9, 2026, though the club did not disclose the investment amount or share percentage
- The Oklahoma City Thunder guard won the franchise's first NBA championship in 2025 and earned consecutive regular season MVP honors, establishing himself as one of the NBA's elite players
- SGA revealed in a 2025 GQ interview that football was the first sport he played while growing up in Hamilton, Canada, crediting it with developing his footwork and coordination
- He maintains friendships with Real Madrid star Vinícius Jr. and Canadian national team defender Alphonso Davies, both of whom are prominent figures in European football
- Atlético Madrid stated that the partnership is built on shared values of ambition, pursuit of excellence, and the belief that every achievement must be earned through performance
Why It Matters
SGA's entry into European football ownership represents a growing trend of NBA athletes diversifying into global sports investments beyond their primary leagues. The move signals the increasing interconnectedness between North American basketball and European football, with elite athletes seeking cross-sport involvement and international brand expansion. For Hong Kong sports fans, this development underscores how top-tier athletes view European football clubs as attractive investment vehicles that combine passion with potential financial returns.
SGA's entry into European football ownership represents a growing trend of NBA athletes diversifying into global sports investments beyond their primary leagues. The move signals the increasing interconnectedness between North American basketball and European football, with elite athletes seeking cross-sport involvement and international brand expansion. For Hong Kong sports fans, this development underscores how top-tier athletes view European football clubs as attractive investment vehicles that combine passion with potential financial returns.