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Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Sports Empire Is Only Getting Bigger

  • NBA superstar’s investment in TGL team expands business portfolio
  • Rising interest in off-court activities arrives as long-term status with Bucks becomes uncertain
Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s long-term NBA future may be newly uncertain, but in the meantime the two-time MVP continues to expand his business empire.

The Milwaukee Bucks star recently told the New York Times he doesn’t “want to be 20 years on the same [team]” without winning another championship, sparking a frenzy of potential trade talk. But amid the speculation, Antetokounmpo made another off-court investment by acquiring a stake in Los Angeles Golf Club this week.

LAGC — which also counts as co-owners tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams and Serena’s husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian — was the first announced team in TGL, the startup golf league co-founded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy that will begin play in January.

Expanding Sports Portfolio

For Antetokounmpo, the investments add to a burgeoning portfolio that also includes equity stakes in MLB’s Milwaukee Brewers, MLS’ Nashville FC, and a partnership with global investment firm Calamos Investments. With his brothers, Antetokounmpo recently formed Ante, Inc. to house their various investments and business relationships on which he serves as co-founder and chair.

Giannis’ activity, similar to that of other NBA superstars such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant, reflects a heightened interest in business investments over the past three years. 

“From 2020 to 2023, people think I’ve taken a large jump on the basketball court, but I think I’ve taken [a] 10X jump off the court,” Antetokounmpo said to the Times.

Antetokounmpo is under contract for the next two seasons with a player option for 2025-26. He will be eligible to sign a three-year, $173 million extension with the Bucks beginning Sept. 22 but has signaled he won’t — at least not yet.

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