From Liverpool to RCD Mallorca, These are NBA Basketball Stars Who Own Football Clubs

NBA star Russell Westbrook will become a co-owner of Leeds United after he bought shares in the 49ers group which is in the process of taking over the English football club.

He will join a number of other NBA basketball stars who have large stakes in club football. Who are they?

James Harden
James Harden acquired a 5% stake in Houston Dynamo, a US Major League Soccer (MLS) football club, as well as the National Women’s Soccer League’s Houston Dash.

Even though Harden is no longer playing for the Houston Rockets, the Philadelphia 76ers are still a minority shareholder in Dynamo and Dash.

Kevin Durants
Much like his former teammate James Harden, Kevin Durant bought a 5% stake in the MLS team. Durant became a minority owner of the Philadelphia Union football club in 2020.

The union refers to KD as Kevin Durant as an investor and community partner, through a partnership with the superstar Thirty Five Ventures. Durant said: “I am excited to partner with the Philadelphia Union for years to come. My team and I are instantly connected to the Union coaching staff and leadership, and the team’s story.”

Magic Johnson
LA Lakers basketball legend Magic Johnson has been an investor and businessman since retiring from the NBA. Johnson has ownership interests in the LA Dodgers of Major League Baseball and the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA.

In 2016, Johnson became a co-owner of MLS LA FC. Johnson joins personalities such as comedian Will Ferrell, former MLB player Nomar Garciaparra and USWNT legend Mia Hamm.

Steve Nash
Another former NBA basketball player who also owns the club is Steve Nash. This former basketball player who became a coach from Canada once admitted that he could have had a career in football.

Nash is a lifelong fan of the Tottenham Hotspur club and co-owns several football clubs. Nash has been one of four owners of Vancouver Whitecaps FC in MLS since 2009.

Seven years later, Nash became part of a group led by Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver, who bought RCD Mallorca from the Spanish second division. During its ownership, Mallorca has been promoted to La Liga twice, in 2019 and 2021.

LeBron James wearing a Liverpool shirt.

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