NBA superstar Kevin Durant has made headlines by purchasing a minority stake in UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) through his media and investment company, Boardroom, co-founded with Rich Kleiman. Announced on June 20, 2025, this strategic partnership with Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), PSG’s majority shareholder, not only ties Durant to the $4.6 billion-valued French soccer giant but also positions him to influence its potential expansion into basketball. Amid trade rumors surrounding his future with the Phoenix Suns and ongoing discussions about an NBA-led European basketball league, Durant’s move signals a bold step into global sports ownership. Dive into this analysis of Durant’s investment, its significance for PSG, and what it means for his legacy and the NBA’s European ambitions.
Kevin Durant has invested in PSG, who won the UEFA Champions League for the first time last season
Kevin Durant’s acquisition of a minority stake in PSG, fresh off their 5-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan on May 31, 2025, marks a significant crossover between NBA stardom and European soccer. This move, facilitated through a partnership with QSI, aligns with Durant’s growing investment portfolio and comes at a pivotal moment in his career and the global sports landscape. Let’s explore the details of the deal, its implications for PSG and Durant, and the broader context of NBA-Europe expansion.
The Deal: Durant’s Stake and Strategic Role
On June 20, 2025, PSG announced that Durant, via Boardroom Sports Holdings, acquired a direct minority stake in the club, valued at approximately $4.6 billion following Arctos Sports Partners’ 12.5% investment in 2023. Financial terms were not disclosed, but sources suggest Durant’s investment is in the “single-digit millions,” consistent with his earlier indirect stake through Arctos in August 2024. The partnership extends beyond ownership, with Durant set to advise PSG on its multi-sport strategy, particularly its potential expansion into basketball, amid talks between the NBA, FIBA, and other entities about a new European league.
Durant expressed his enthusiasm in a statement: “It is an honor to partner with QSI and be a shareholder in Paris Saint-Germain—a club and city that is deeply close to my heart. 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.” PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi echoed this sentiment, noting, “Together with Kevin, we look forward to developing ambitious initiatives that will drive the continued global growth of Paris Saint-Germain and QSI.” The deal includes collaboration on commercial ventures, content production, and expanding PSG’s brand in the U.S., particularly with the 2025 Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
Kevin Durant is set to move on from the Phoenix Suns this season amid trade rumors
Durant’s Investment Portfolio and Motivation
Durant, with a net worth of $300 million, has a history of strategic investments, including a 5% stake in MLS club Philadelphia Union since 2020 and ownership in Major League Pickleball’s Brooklyn Aces and NWSL’s Gotham City FC. His media company, Boardroom, has production deals with Fox, ESPN, Apple, and Showtime, complementing endorsement income from Nike, Gatorade, and Degree. This PSG investment aligns with Durant’s business acumen, leveraging his global brand—bolstered by two NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and four Olympic gold medals—to enhance PSG’s international presence.
Durant’s connection to PSG predates this deal. A known soccer fan, he visited PSG’s training facility in Poissy and Parc des Princes multiple times, building a relationship with Al-Khelaïfi. His investment also reflects a personal affinity for Paris, where he won Olympic gold in 2024, and a strategic move to diversify his portfolio amid uncertainty with the Phoenix Suns, who missed the playoffs in 2024-25 despite Durant’s 26.6 points per game. Trade rumors, fueled by Phoenix’s 41-41 season and Devin Booker’s reported frustration, suggest Durant may be on the move, making this investment a way to solidify his off-court legacy.
PSG’s Ambitions: Basketball and Global Expansion
PSG’s partnership with Durant comes at a transformative moment. The club’s first Champions League title, a 5-1 rout of Inter Milan, cements their soccer dominance, with a 26-6-2 Ligue 1 record and a 19-point lead over Marseille in 2024-25. QSI, which acquired PSG in 2011, has turned it into a global powerhouse with 11 Ligue 1 titles and now eyes basketball as part of its multi-sport empire, which includes men’s and women’s soccer, handball, judo, and esports.
The NBA and FIBA’s discussions about a new European basketball league, dubbed “NBA Europe,” provide context. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is reportedly pitching a 16-team league, including franchises in Paris and London, with potential EuroLeague defectors. QSI expressed interest in owning a Paris-based franchise in March 2025, and Durant’s expertise as a two-time NBA champion and Olympic gold medalist positions him to guide PSG’s basketball venture. An X post from Eurohoops noted, “Kevin Durant’s stake in PSG could be a game-changer for their basketball ambitions.” His involvement could also boost PSG’s U.S. market presence, leveraging his 36 million social media followers and Boardroom’s media reach.
Implications for Durant’s NBA Future
Durant’s PSG investment coincides with uncertainty in Phoenix. Despite averaging 26.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 44.7% FG in 2024-25, the Suns’ first-round exit and lack of roster depth have sparked trade speculation. An X post from NBA Insider Marc Stein reported, “Durant’s name is floating in trade talks again, with Miami and Golden State monitoring.” Miami, seeking a point guard like Coby White, and Golden State, eyeing Giannis Antetokounmpo, are potential destinations, but Durant’s focus on PSG suggests he’s building a legacy beyond basketball. His $51.2 million salary and $300 million net worth provide financial security, allowing him to take risks like this high-profile investment.
Challenges and Opportunities
The partnership carries risks. The financial terms’ opacity raises questions about Durant’s stake size and influence compared to QSI’s majority control. PSG’s basketball venture faces competition from Paris Basketball, a EuroLeague team that finished eighth in 2024-25, and integrating Durant’s input into a soccer-centric organization may require careful navigation. Additionally, his NBA trade rumors could distract from his PSG role, especially if Phoenix’s struggles persist.
However, the opportunities are vast. Durant’s global brand can elevate PSG’s U.S. profile, particularly during the 2025 Club World Cup, where PSG competed in Pasadena, California. His basketball expertise could shape a future NBA Europe franchise, positioning PSG as a pioneer in cross-sport expansion. For Durant, this move diversifies his portfolio and cements his status as a global sports icon, joining LeBron James (Liverpool FC) and other NBA stars investing in European soccer.
The Bigger Picture: NBA Meets European Soccer
Durant’s investment reflects a growing trend of NBA stars entering European soccer ownership, with LeBron James (Liverpool FC) and Tom Brady (Birmingham City) setting the precedent. It also underscores the NBA’s push into Europe, with PSG’s basketball ambitions aligning with Silver’s vision for NBA Europe. An X post from Ministry of Sport stated, “Durant’s PSG stake bridges basketball and football, a win for global sports synergy.” As the 2025-26 NBA season looms, Durant’s off-court moves may prove as impactful as his on-court performance, especially if he lands with a contender via trade.
Kevin Durant’s minority stake in Paris Saint-Germain marks a bold step into global sports ownership, aligning his business acumen with PSG’s ambitions in soccer and potential basketball expansion. His partnership with QSI, rooted in a shared vision for growth, positions him to shape PSG’s U.S. presence and a possible NBA Europe franchise. While trade rumors swirl around his NBA future, this investment solidifies Durant’s legacy as a visionary entrepreneur. Will his PSG stake redefine his career, and could it pave the way for a basketball revolution in Europe?
