Nashville SC copy LAFC move as Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Reece Witherspoon as MLS owner
Brothers Antetokounmpo and NHL star Filip Forsberg are now on the board of directors of MLS club Nashville SC after officially announcing their investment in the franchise
Sports stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Filip Forsberg have joined the likes of Reece Witherspoon by buying into Nashville SC’s ownership group as more high-profile names get involved in Major League Soccer.
MLS remains the fastest growing soccer league in the world, and some major A-listers have bought into franchises in recent years. Actors Will Ferrell and Matthew McConaughey both acquire stakes in Austin FC and LAFC, respectively, and even sports stars Patrick Mahomes and James Harden have stakes in two other teams.
NBA great Antetokounmpo has joined the Nashville ownership group with brothers Thanasis, Kostas and Alex, and Forsberg has expanded his legacy in the region by doing the same. Forsberg is the all-time leading scorer for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League and will now be involved with another team in town.
It’s only Nashville’s fourth season in MLS, having formed in 2017, but now Giannis, his brothers and Forsberg have joined a growing list of celebrities looking to invest. Actor Reese Witherspoon and NFL star Derrick Henry previously joined businessman John Ingram as shareholders in the franchise, and their ownership group has expanded yet again.
LAFC became the first MLS side to boast a star-studded celebrity ownership group, having joined the league back in 2018. Along with Ferrel, LAFC also co-owns NBA legend Magic Johnson, YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley and MLB icon Nomar Garciaparra, two-time world champion Mia Hamm-Garciaparra and Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai.
Giannis is a huge football fan, and his father even played the sport professionally, although he did manage to raise four basketball stars. “My dad was a professional soccer player and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece,” Giannis said after buying into Nashville SC.
“I’ve always had a dream of owning a football team. As my brothers and I explored Nashville SC, we knew it was a team and a city we wanted to be involved with. I couldn’t be more excited to join the Boys in Gold and I can’t wait to get to a match at GEODIS Park soon!”
And if Forsberg wasn’t already a legend in the Nashville area, he certainly will be now after also joining the ownership group. “Nashville is the best sports city in the country and I’m very blessed to now be on two of our professional teams,” said Forsberg.
Nashville got off to a great start on the opening weekend of the 2023 season, beating New York City FC 2-0 at GEODIS Park.