KD Buys Direct Stake in PSG, Eyes Basketball Expansion

Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant is deepening his ties with European giant Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The NBA icon has acquired a direct minority stake in the French club, primarily owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), and will lend his expertise as a consultant on PSG’s potential move into professional basketball.

This isn’t Durant’s first involvement with PSG. He previously held a single-digit million-dollar shareholding through a financial vehicle linked to the private equity firm Arctos Sports Partners, which had acquired a stake in the club in late 2023. The new deal sees Durant exit that indirect holding to take a more visible, direct stake alongside his business partner, Rich Kleiman, via their investment firm, Boardroom. While the exact sum isn’t disclosed, it’s reported to be similar to his previous investment. Sources suggest that for the well-resourced QSI, the access, connections, and global perspective brought by a figure like Durant are arguably more valuable than the investment amount itself.

Ambition Beyond the Pitch: PSG’s Basketball Dreams

PSG’s interest in basketball expansion has been known, aligning with broader trends in European sports where major clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich successfully operate both elite soccer and basketball teams under the same brand. While PSG currently has successful handball and judo teams, it hasn’t yet ventured into basketball under its own banner. The prominent Paris-based team in the EuroLeague is known as Paris Basketball.

The timing of Durant’s enhanced partnership is significant, coinciding with the NBA’s potential plans for European expansion. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is reportedly developing plans to pitch the NBA Board of Governors on creating an NBA-owned and operated professional league in Europe, tentatively referred to as “NBA Europe.” This proposed league could feature up to 16 teams, with Paris and London identified as key target markets.

Sources indicate that PSG’s basketball ambitions are directly tied to this NBA Europe initiative. As part of his consulting role, Durant is expected to advise PSG on navigating this complex landscape, exploring the feasibility and strategy for launching a basketball team under the PSG brand that could potentially join this future NBA league.

Navigating the European Basketball Scene

The potential entry of a PSG basketball team into an NBA Europe league raises questions about the existing European basketball structure, particularly the EuroLeague and the current Paris Basketball team. While there was initial speculation about NBA Europe potentially attracting teams away from the EuroLeague, recent comments from league executives suggest a preference for collaboration. EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas has stated, “It is becoming more obvious that we have to work together,” while NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum indicated the NBA’s goal is to be the “operator” of the “top tier league in Europe.”

However, specifics on how a PSG basketball venture would interact with Paris Basketball and the EuroLeague in the context of NBA Europe are yet to be determined. QSI and other interested investors are reportedly waiting for the NBA to formalize its European franchise process. Durant’s consultation could be crucial in mapping out this path.

Strategic Partnership Beyond Investment

The alliance between Durant/Boardroom and QSI extends far beyond a simple investment. The strategic partnership includes collaboration on:

Commercial ventures
Investment opportunities
Media content creation
Advising on PSG’s growth strategy in the U.S. market

Joint development of merchandise

Kevin Durant expressed his excitement, stating, “It is an honor to partner with QSI and be a shareholder in Paris Saint-Germain—a club and a city that is so close to my heart. This club has big plans ahead and I can’t wait to be a part of the next phase of growth; and to explore new investment opportunities with QSI.”

QSI Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi welcomed Durant, highlighting the aim to elevate the club through “high-impact partnerships that bring strategic value, innovation, and global perspective.”

Leveraging Star Power

PSG is a dominant force in French soccer, winning 11 of the last 13 Ligue 1 titles and recently securing their first UEFA Champions League title, completing a historic treble despite the departure of star Kylian Mbappé. Adding a basketball team under the PSG brand, particularly one potentially linked to the NBA, would be a significant expansion.

Durant’s involvement brings unparalleled star power and basketball acumen. As a 15-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA Champion, and one of the league’s all-time leading scorers, his name carries immense weight globally. His consulting role could significantly help bridge the gap between PSG’s established soccer identity and a nascent basketball program, potentially advising on everything from team strategy and talent acquisition to infrastructure, possibly even linking to plans for PSG’s potential new multi-functional stadium.

This expanded partnership positions Kevin Durant not just as an investor, but as a key strategic partner in PSG’s ambitious plans to grow its global sports empire, potentially with a major focus on establishing a dominant basketball presence in Europe aligned with the NBA’s global vision.