Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins ownership group of La Liga’s Atlético Madrid

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined the ownership group of Spanish soccer team Atlético Madrid, it was announced on Thursday.

“I’m excited to officially join Atlético de Madrid’s ownership group,” Gilgeous-Alexander said in a statement. “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.”

The back-to-back NBA MVP is joining the La Liga side as an investor and shareholder.
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The club, which has won 11 league titles, 10 Copa del Reys, 3 UEFA Europa Leagues and 3 UEFA Super Cups, currently sits in second place in the La Liga table, five points behind leaders Barcelona.

Atlético de Madrid, founded in 1903, has featured numerous legendary players including Luis Aragonés, Jan Oblak and Antoine Griezmann, among many others.

Gilgeous-Alexander helped the Thunder to the 2024-25 NBA title, while also winning NBA Finals MVP during that playoff run. He is a four-time All-NBA First-Team player and All-Star and led the league in scoring two seasons ago.

He also has a long-time connection with soccer. In a 2025 Q&A with fans through GQ magazine, Gilgeous-Alexander revealed the game was his first sport growing up in Hamilton, Ontario. He’s also developed a friendship with Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior and linked up with him two years ago in Spain.