Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the latest NBA star to step into European soccer ownership, joining Atlético Madrid’s ownership group with a minority stake, the club announced Thursday.
The reigning two-time NBA Most Valuable Player has spent the last two years at the top of the league, capped by a 2025 NBA title with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Now he’s attaching his name to one of Spain’s biggest clubs.
“Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined Atlético de Madrid’s ownership group,” Atlético Madrid said in a statement. “The partnership is grounded in shared values: ambition, excellence and the belief that every result must be earned.”
Gilgeous-Alexander, 28, said he’s looking forward to being part of the club’s next chapter. “I’m excited to officially join Atlético de Madrid’s ownership group.”
Gilgeous-Alexander said. “This is a club with a long-standing presence at the top of European football, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of its future.”
How large the stake is, and how active he’ll be in the club’s day-to-day business, hasn’t been disclosed. What is clear is that he’s joining an ownership group that includes 11 board members, among them Spain legend and former player David Villa.
Atlético framed the move as more than a celebrity headline. “Beyond the numbers, his ability to perform under pressure and commitment to constant growth align with Atlético de Madrid’s values of intensity, pride and ambition. His investment reflects an interest in the club’s long-term vision and international growth,” Atléti’s statement finished.
There’s also an awkward layer waiting in the background: Vinícius Jr. Gilgeous-Alexander is close friends with the Real Madrid star, even though Atlético supporters have plenty of reason to view Real Madrid as the enemy. The source notes that recent history suggests there’s perhaps no player Atlético Madrid feel more animosity towards-outside of their own striker Julián Álvarez-than Vinícius Jr.
The two have shared plenty of public moments over the years, from vacation photos to training sessions and casual hangouts. Vinícius Jr. has also attended Thunder games before and posted pictures of a signed Gilgeous-Alexander jersey on his social media.
Gilgeous-Alexander has crossed into Real Madrid territory himself, too. He once visited the club’s training ground, scored a penalty against Vinícius Jr. and celebrated with Cristiano Ronaldo’s signature move. He has also been at the Bernabéu and was pictured on the pitch with Vinícius Jr. and Éder Militão while wearing a Real Madrid jersey.
That makes the new ownership tie especially interesting for Atlético fans, who won’t want even a whisper of Real Madrid loyalty from one of their own.
Gilgeous-Alexander now joins a growing group of major NBA names who have bought into European soccer clubs. LeBron James was the first major trailblazer here, becoming a Liverpool minority-owner in 2011 with a 2% stake for $6.5 million. In 2021, the now Philadelphia 76er became a partner of Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s majority ownership group.
More recently, former Thunder star Kevin Durant became a minority shareholder of Paris-Saint Germain in 2025, while Giannis Antetokounmpo joined the investment group that became Chelsea Women owners later that year after BlueCo sold the team.
Russell Westbrook, another beloved former Thunder star, is part of the 49ers Enterprises group that owns Leeds United.
With U.S. investment groups increasingly circling European soccer clubs, athletes have also found these moves appealing. Gilgeous-Alexander’s entry into Atlético Madrid is the latest high-profile example.
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