NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As Nashville Soccer Club enters its fourth season in Major League Soccer, and second at GEODIS Park, principal owner John Ingram announced today that leading scorer in Nashville Predator history Filip Forsberg and two-time MVP and NBA Champion Giannis Antetokounmpo have joined the team’s ownership group.
Antetokounmpo is joined in ownership by his brothers Thanasis, Kostas and Alex as well – all of whom play professional basketball worldwide. Thanasis joined Giannis in winning the NBA Championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021, and Kostas won one with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
The announcement of the new owners continues the strong momentum built by Nashville SC in the lead-up to the 2023 season, highlighted by its 'Man in Black’ jersey collaboration with the Estate of Johnny Cash. That momentum continued with a 2-0 victory over New York City FC in front of 28,051 fans at GEODIS Park this past Saturday.
Forsberg and Antetokounmpo join a robust and diverse ownership group whose most recent additions include Reese Witherspoon, her husband Jim Toth and Derrick Henry.
“Nashville is the best sports city in the country, and I am extremely blessed to now be involved with two of our pro teams,” said Forsberg. “Our city is one big family and fanbase, and we support each other on and off the field. Nashville SC has been such a great addition to our sports culture, and joining the ownership group was an opportunity I wasn’t going to pass up. I grew up a Liverpool FC fan in Sweden, and after today I am happy to add a second set of colors to cheer for!”
“My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece,” said Antetokounmpo. “I’ve always had the dream of owning a soccer team. When my brothers and I explored Nashville SC, we knew it was a team and a city that we wanted to get involved with. I couldn’t be more excited to join the Boys in Gold, and can’t wait to come to a match at GEODIS Park soon!”
“Soccer is a global sport, and our newest owners once again reinforce our club’s commitment to being a global team,” said Ingram. “Filip and Giannis are not just amazing athletes – they are ambassadors for their respective sports, role models for millions and advocates in their hometowns and worldwide. We share a common belief that our teams not only play to the highest standards, but also lift up their communities and help those who need it most.”
Nashville SC takes on the road to face the New York Red Bulls at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, March 4. Fans ns can follow the action on the MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app and the club on its digital and social channels on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter and Spotify.
MEDIA RESOURCES:
- Nashville SC Media Center with news, b-roll from training, match notes, other video and photo resources
- Media looking to follow NSC on social media can find the club on TikTok, Twitter and Instagram with the handle @NashvilleSC. For Facebook and YouTube please use “Nashville Soccer Club”
- The official club hashtag when referring to Nashville SC on social media is #EveryoneN
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Zach Hunt, zach@tsgnashville.com, 615.321.3110.
About Nashville SC
Nashville SC joined Major League Soccer on Feb. 29, 2020 in front of the largest attendance ever recorded for a soccer match in the State of Tennessee. In its inaugural MLS season, Nashville SC defeated expectations by becoming the second MLS expansion side to win and advance to the Conference Semifinals in the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. Nashville SC returned to the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in its sophomore season after becoming just the seventh team in MLS history to go unbeaten at home in a season. Nashville SC inaugurated GEODIS Park, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States and Canada, in front of a 30,109-sellout crowd on May 1, 2022. For more information, visit NashvilleSC.com and follow the club at @NashvilleSC on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Spotify.
