Preds Star Filip Forsberg & NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo Join Nashville SC Ownership Group

/in , , /by

Filip Forsberg and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Photos: Courtesy of Nashville SC

A few superstars have joined Nashville Soccer Club, not on the pitch but as minority owners. Nashville Predators all-time leading scorer Filip Forsberg and two-time MVP and NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo have joined the team’s ownership group.

Antetokounmpo is joined in ownership by his brothers Thanasis, Kostas and Alex — all of whom play professional basketball worldwide. Together, Thanasis and Giannis won the NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, and Kostas won with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

“My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece,” says Antetokounmpo. “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!”

Pictured L-R: Alex Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Photo: Courtesy of Nashville SC

The announcement of the new owners maintains the strong momentum Nashville SC has built leading up to the 2023 season, highlighted by its Man in Black jersey collaboration with the Johnny Cash estate. That momentum increased with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC in front of 28,051 fans at GEODIS Park this past Saturday (Feb. 25).

“Nashville is the best sports city in the country, and I am extremely blessed to now be involved with two of our pro teams,” says Forsberg. “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!”

Forsberg and Antetokounmpo join a robust and diverse ownership group whose most recent additions include Reese Witherspoon and her husband Jim Toth as well as Derrick Henry.

“Soccer is a global sport, and our newest owners once again reinforce our club’s commitment to being a global team,” says Majority Owner John Ingram. “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.”

Nashville SC will hit the road to face the New York Red Bulls at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 4.

Steven Boero
Latest posts by Steven Boero (see all)