Add Giannis Antetokounmpo to the list of high profile athletes with minority shares in pro sports franchises. The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Friday that the Greek superstar had purchased a stake in the hometown team. Brewers principal owner Mark Attanasio revealed that he and Giannis had finalized the deal back in May however had kept the news under wraps so that the Bucks could focus on their championship run.
Giannis is entering the first year of his 5-year $228M contract with the Milwaukee Bucks and wants to put down roots in the city that’s given him so much in his NBA career. Donning a #34 Brewers jersey at the press conference, the reigning Finals MVP told reporters “Milwaukee made me who I am today…It made me a better person. This is basically my home. I’ve become a father here. I’ve become a leader here. I’ve become a champion here, and I want to be involved. I want to be involved in the community as much as possible. I know Milwaukee invested a lot in me, and I want to invest a lot of me back into the city of Milwaukee.”
In April, Sportico valued the Brewers franchise at $1.37B, which was good for 27th overall amongst MLB teams. Financial details of the purchase were not revealed at the press conference Friday.
Giannis becomes Wisconsin’s second high profile athlete to invest in a local sports team. Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has been a minority owner of the Bucks since 2018. Just last year Patrick Mahomes also invested in his hometown MLB team after he purchased a small stake in the Kansas City Royals. While you aren’t likely to see Giannis making any high profile baseball decisions anytime soon, seeing the face of their basketball franchise invest in their city has to be music to Milwaukee fans ears.