Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is moving into a different sport altogether.
The two-time NBA MVP will still be playing basketball, of course, but he announced on Thursday, Oct. 8 that he is moving into soccer ownership.
Spanish La Liga club Atlético Madrid announced Gilgeous-Alexander has joined its ownership group, saying in a club release that the "partnership is grounded in shared values: ambition, excellence and the belief that every result must be earned."
The announcement did not divulge how much the Oklahoma City Thunder star had invested.
"I'm excited to officially join Atlético de Madrid’s ownership group," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "This is a club with a long-standing presence at the top of European football, and I'm grateful for the opportunity
to be part of its future."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander apuesta por el Atlético de Madrid y se incorpora como inversor de nuestro club ❤️🤍
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) October 8, 2026
🎙️ "Estoy emocionado de unirme oficialmente al grupo de accionistas del Atlético de Madrid. Este es un club con una larga trayectoria en lo más alto del fútbol europeo, y… pic.twitter.com/Ey8GlXoNLj
Gilgeous-Alexander does have some connections with soccer, telling GQ in a 2025 fan Q&A: "If I could, I would play soccer. Soccer is my first sport."
He also has a documented friendship with Brazil and Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior, who attended an Oklahoma City Thunder game in December 2023 to support the superstar guard.
Now, Gilgeous-Alexander will be associated with Real Madrid's biggest local rival. Atlético has won 11 La Liga titles, the most of any Spanish club outside of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Gilgeous-Alexander is the two-time reigning NBA MVP, having won the award in 2025 and 2026. He also led the Thunder to an NBA title in 2025.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins Atlético Madrid ownership
