The trend of professional athletes acquiring ownership stakes in sports teams continues to accelerate, driven by increasing investor interest in their reputations and community relationships. Wale Ogunleye, an 11-year NFL veteran turned UBS executive, shared at the 2026 Huddle in the Hamptons that investment banks regularly report potential buyers seeking to include athletes in ownership deals. Prominent names like LeBron James, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce—who recently acquired a minority stake in the Cleveland Guardians—highlight how athletes are becoming integral to ownership groups across various sports.

Investors and billionaire owners pursue partnerships with athletes primarily to leverage the credibility and community trust players bring to a franchise. Ogunleye emphasized that it’s not just the capital athletes contribute but the reputational value tied to their local engagement and goodwill that appeals to ownership groups. This inclusion helps validate ownership teams with fans who are more likely to perceive the group positively when an athlete they respect has a stake in the team and its community impact.

From the athletes’ perspective, joining ownership ranks aligns with long-term entrepreneurial ambitions, moving their identity beyond just sports performance. Tina Charles, the 2012 WNBA MVP and founder of 78 Brewing Co., noted that ownership offers athletes a platform to influence decision-making and asset creation directly. By gaining a seat at the table, athletes can take control over their narrative and risk-taking, which is essential for reshaping how they are viewed both within and outside the sports world.

Athletes’ increasing involvement in ownership also reflects a broader shift in sports finance where participation in these “country clubs” is about influence, brand extension, and legacy-building. Investors recognize that connecting with athletes adds intrinsic value to their holdings, reinforcing community bonds and enhancing franchise appeal. As athlete investments grow in prominence, the sports landscape is evolving into one where former and current players play critical roles not just on the field but in boardrooms and ownership circles as well.