Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nashville Predators' Filip Forsberg join Nashville SC ownership group
Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo headline a squad of athletes joining the Nashville Soccer Club ownership group.
Nashville principal owner John Ingram announced Thursday that Antetokounmpo and his brothers, Thanasis, Kostas and Alex, have made a minority investment in the Major League Soccer club. Nashville kicked off its fourth MLS season last Saturday with a 2-0 win against New York City FC at Geodis Park.
Forsberg, the Predators all-time goals leader, joins the Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry as local professional athletes holding a minority stake in the team. Henry, as well as actress Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth, became minority investors last April.
“Nashville is the best sports city in the country, and I am extremely blessed to now be involved with two of our pro teams,” Forsberg said in a club statement. “Our city is one big family and fanbase, and we support each other on and off the field. Nashville SC has been such a great addition to our sports culture, and joining the ownership group was an opportunity I wasn’t going to pass up. I grew up a Liverpool FC fan in Sweden, and after today I am happy to add a second set of colors to cheer for!”
Two-time NBA MVP and 2021 NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo joins the Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant (Philadelphia Union) and the Philadelphia 76ers' James Harden (Houston Dynamo FC) as elite NBA players to have invested in MLS.
“My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece,” Antetokounmpo said. “I’ve always had the dream of owning a soccer team. When my brothers and I explored Nashville SC, we knew it was a team and a city that we wanted to get involved with. I couldn’t be more excited to join the Boys in Gold, and can’t wait to come to a match at GEODIS Park soon!”
His brother, Thanasis, also plays for the Bucks. Kostas won the 2020 NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers inside the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Florida, but now plays for Fenerbahçe in Turkey. The youngest brother, Alex, plays for the Bucks' NBA G League affiliate, the Wisconsin Herd.
“Soccer is a global sport, and our newest owners once again reinforce our club’s commitment to being a global team,” Ingram said. “Filip and Giannis are not just amazing athletes – they are ambassadors for their respective sports, role models for millions and advocates in their hometowns and worldwide. We share a common belief that our teams not only play to the highest standards, but also lift up their communities and help those who need it most.”
For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Filip Forsberg headline new Nashville SC owners
