Which NBA players support football teams?

Basketball and football have become more intertwined as the global reach of both games has grown in recent years. 

That includes several top basketball players becoming affiliated with football clubs, whether through ownership or simply their fandom. 

Here are some of the biggest basketball stars that are linked with football, and how… 

Lebron James 

The legendary NBA player is a part owner of Liverpool and has been since 2011 when he purchased a 2% stake in the club for £4.7m. 

He then became a minority partner in Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who own Liverpool, the Boston Red Sox and the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

James issued a congratulatory message to the Reds last season after their Premier League title triumph, saying: “I want to say congratulations to the champions of the English Premier League, once again bringing home another trophy. 

“You know it is always special to do it with a group of guys that you love. It is super special. 

“Shout out to the captains, Virgil and Mo, salute to you brothers. Continue to lead, continue to strive for greatness and always know You’ll Never Walk Alone. 

“So go Reds. Love you guys.” 

James is also no stranger to winning trophies, including four NBA Championships – two with the Miami Heat, one with his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers and then another with the Los Angeles Lakers, who he still plays for at the age of 40. According to DraftKings odds, he is in with a good chance of adding more silverware to his collection this season too. 

Kevin Durant 

Durant became a part owner in current European champions Paris St Germain earlier this year.  

The Houston Rockets star signed a strategic partnership agreement with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), the majority owners of the French club. 

“It is an honour to partner with QSI and to be a shareholder of PSG, a club and a city that is deeply close to my heart,” the two-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors said after the news was announced. 

“This club has big plans and I look forward to being part of the next phase of growth and exploring new investment opportunities with QSI.” 

Josh Richardson 

The former Miami Heat guard is currently without a team having left the Florida franchise this year, which means he has probably had more time to focus on another of his passions, which is football. 

Richardson has made no secret of his love for Arsenal, having started supporting them during his college days, and will of course be hoping they can end their long Premier League title drought this season. 

Luka Doncic 

James’ Los Angeles Lakers team-mate is a well-known Real Madrid fan, having played for the club’s basketball team before making the move to the USA. 

He moved to Madrid when he was just 13 to join their youth academy. “For the first two or three months, I almost didn’t speak to anybody,” Doncic reflected on his move to Spain. “But that’s how I learned Spanish so quickly. And after that — it was an amazing journey, man. It was something that changed my life for the better.” 

The Slovenian unsurprisingly became a fan of the football club back then too and has seen plenty of success during and after his time living in Madrid.