LeBron James, the biggest name in basketball, owns a two per cent stake in Liverpool Football Club and is one of the team’s most visible partners.
James, who’s previously arrived for Los Angeles Lakers games in Reds merchandise, launched his own LFC x LeBron clothing line in conjunction with Nike earlier this year.
And now one of James’ former teammates is looking to follow his lead, with Sportico reporter Eben Novy-Williams relaying the news that Russell Westbrook is part of the investor group taking control of Leeds United.
Westbrook has invested in the 49ers Enterprises, the financial arm of the NFL franchise, along with golf stars Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas.
The group has already agreed a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Leeds for $223m (£170m), though is yet to officially go through (via BBC Sport).
James has close ties with Westbrook after pushing the Lakers to trade for the 2017 MVP in 2021, when he was a member of the Washington Wizards (via Bleacher Report).
Westbrook, who holds the record for the most triple-doubles in NBA history, spent 18 tumultuous months with the Lakers before he was traded to the Utah Jazz in February, eventually landing at cross-city rivals the LA Clippers.
Liverpool.com says:James has seen a spectacular growth in the value of his Liverpool shares. They were worth around $6.5m when he bought them in 2011, but as per a 2018 estimate from ESPN, they rocketed to $32m, better than a fourfold increase.