Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks superstar known as the Greek Freak, has joined the ownership group of a Major League Soccer team Nashville SC. Along with his brothers Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex, all professional basketball players, Antetokounmpo is now a minority owner of the club. The announcement was accompanied by a hype video sure to excite fans of the team and the sport. For Antetokounmpo, who grew up in Greece and was drawn to soccer by his Nigerian father, the decision to invest in the growing American League is a natural one.
Let's goooooo @NashvilleSC!!@alex_ante29 @Kostas_ante13 @Thanasis_ante43 #EveryoneN pic.twitter.com/xECcjpqKoh
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) March 3, 2023
When was Nashville SC added to the league?
Nashville SC was added to the MLS in 2020 and is one of nine teams that have joined the league since 2017. The league’s expansion and growth have attracted the attention of many NBA stars, who see the potential in investing in a modern American soccer team. Antetokounmpo’s ties to the sport, however, run deeper than most. His childhood fascination with soccer was sparked by the grace and skill of the players he watched, and his father’s own career as a player further connected him to the game.
Antetokounmpo’s dedication and work ethic have helped him become one of the NBA’s top players, and his leadership has led the Milwaukee Bucks to claim the top record in the league and a 16-game winning streak. These qualities are sure to translate well to the owner’s box, where Antetokounmpo can continue to support and inspire his new team. For the MLS, having a transcendent athlete like Antetokounmpo involved in the league will only help promote soccer to American audiences.
How did Giannis Antetokounmpo contribute to American Soccer?
The Greek Freak’s investment in Nashville SC is just the latest example of NBA stars becoming involved in American soccer. It also shows the potential for growth and expansion of the MLS in the coming years. With players like Antetokounmpo bringing their passion and dedication to the league, soccer’s popularity in the US is sure to continue to rise. For Antetokounmpo, the opportunity to be connected to the sport that was so integral to his childhood is a dream come true, and fans of both basketball and soccer can look forward to seeing his influence in both worlds.
For Antetokounmpo, being officially connected to soccer in America is a significant milestone in his career and his life, and one that he is sure to approach with the same passion and dedication that has made him a superstar on the basketball court.