Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant has joined NJ/NY Gotham FC as a minority owner. The US Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team confirmed involvement from Brooklyn Nets small forward Thirty Five Ventures (35V) group.
Durant and his business partner Rich Kleiman are the third party to invest in the club since March.
Gotham, which reached the first round of the playoffs and finals of the NWSL Challenge Cup last year, is based in neighboring New Jersey, Durant’s hometown. Kleiman said the two want to continue driving the success.
“As a New York company, it was natural for us to work with a forward-thinking team like Gotham FC,” said 35V co-founder Kleiman in a press release.
“The NWSL has grown so much over the past few years and the opportunity to be a part of that growth and work directly with the Gotham FC leadership team and players is really exciting,” added Kleiman.
Who else is involved with Gotham FC?
Durant is the next big sports personality to take a stake in the Harrison-based club. 316-time US international Carli Lloyd was announced as a shareholder following Sky Blue’s renaming last year.
Kristin Bernert and Karen Bryant were also announced as co-owners in March. The majority owners remain Phil Murphy, the incumbent Governor of New Jersey, and his wife Tammy.
Are there any other NBA stars with team participations?
Durant is far from the first NBA superstar to apply his professional experience to another sport. He succeeds LeBron James, who holds a minority stake in Liverpool FC.
The Los Angeles Lakers star and four-time NBA MVP originally joined the Reds in 2011 through an agreement with Fenway Sports Group.
