Monday, July 20, 2026

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress spent eight years in the NBA, then built a second career as an investor and operator spanning real estate, professional basketball, and sports ownership.

The former NBA forward and Stanford graduate joins Portfolio Players to discuss how he thinks about investing in sports as an asset class, his stake in the Portland Thorns and the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix, and the business case for NBA expansion. Childress also shares his perspective on private equity entering professional sports, why Las Vegas has proven itself as a major pro sports market, and how the NIL era has reshaped what it means to be a college athlete with a brand.

He also reflects on the mentorship philosophy that has shaped his post-playing career and what he would tell a younger version of himself about building wealth off the court.

Portfolio Players, presented by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, explores how institutional capital, cultural momentum, and strategic ownership are redefining the business of sports.

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