The trend continues: Former NBA champion joins Ipswich ownership
Udonis Haslem announced that he has purchased shares in the Premier League club, joining LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and other NBA stars who have already invested in football clubs: "This is the club I want to be a part of."
The trend of NBA stars investing in football clubs continues to expand. Udonis Haslem, former Miami Heat player and three-time NBA champion, announced that he has become a minority shareholder in Ipswich. Haslem revealed that he joined the club's ownership back in September, and has now chosen to make the move public.
The former forward explained that although basketball was at the center of his life, he always appreciated the culture and influence of football:
"Basketball has been my life, but I have always respected the culture and influence of football. I am proud to announce that last September I became a minority shareholder in Ipswich Town."
According to him, the connection to the club was formed when he was exposed to its motto, "Run towards the difficulty."
"When I saw this motto, I knew it was a club I wanted to be a part of. It is something I believed in throughout my career," he explained.
Haslem added that after meeting the people leading Ipswich, he was convinced that it was more than just a slogan: "I realized that this is not just a statement, but who they really are. This is the only culture I want to be a part of."
The former player expressed enthusiasm for the project being built at the club: "I am excited to support what is being built at Ipswich, both on and off the pitch. From Miami to Portman Road, from the NBA to the Premier League. Come on, you Blues."
Haslem joins a line of basketball stars who have entered the world of football ownership in recent years. LeBron James is considered one of the pioneers of the trend after investing in Liverpool back in 2011, while Kevin Durant holds shares in Paris Saint-Germain. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers also joined the ownership group of Nashville from the MLS. Now, Haslem hopes to contribute his experience as a leader to his new English project.
