Ramping up his interest in the beautiful game, NBA star James Harden has joined the Houston Dynamo and Dash ownership group, purchasing a stake in the investment group that controls the MLS and NWSL franchises.
It’s reported that Harden has bought a 5% stake in the ownership group, of which the 2018 NBA MVP and face of the Houston Rockets franchise becomes the fifth member. The group is led by Gabriel Brener, and it also includes boxing icon and promoter Oscar De La Hoya, White Deer Energy managing partner Ben Guill and Portland, Oregon-based investor Jake Silverstein.
The move follows Harden’s recent visit to London, where he linked up with Reiss Nelson at the Emirates stadium, and this reaffirms the fact that the Beard has more than just a passing interest in football.
“I’m very excited about the opportunity to join the ownership group of the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash and proud to be a part of a club with tremendous history and a great future,” Harden said in a statement. “Houston is my home now, and I saw this as a way to invest in my city and expand my business interests at the same time. Soccer in general, and especially MLS, have exploded in this country throughout my lifetime. I’ve been a fan of the game for several years, and I know that Houston has a massive soccer fanbase, so it was an easy decision for me when this opportunity arose.”
“We are thrilled to welcome James into our club,” Brener said. “He’s an icon in the Houston community, and not only is he a great basketball player, he has an extremely smart and savvy mind for business. James will bring a very unique perspective to our ownership group, and I’m looking forward to hearing his thoughts and opinions on the club going forward.”
