Nets' Kevin Durant Purchases 5 Percent Stake in MLS' Philadelphia Union

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has purchased a 5 percent stake in the Philadelphia Union, the MLS club announced Monday.

Mark J. Burns of Sports Business Daily first reported June 4 that Durant would join the Union as a minority shareholder.

Durant said in a release:

"I'm excited to partner with the Philadelphia Union for years to come. My team and I connected instantly with the Union coaching staff and leadership, as well as the team's story. Off the pitch, I'm looking forward to working in the Chester and Philadelphia communities and making an impact in the same way that the KDCF has been able to in my hometown of Prince George's County."

Pablo Maurer of The Athletic initially reported Dec. 28 that Durant's Thirty Five Ventures met with the Union, who confirmed that a meeting took place:

Per Chris Smith of Forbes, the Union were valued at $240 million in November 2019, a surge from $175 million the year before.

Durant's stake comes less than a year after Maurer reported that the 10-time All-Star twice attempted to buy a stake in his hometown D.C. United, once in 2012 and again in 2018.

Durant has expressed interest in team ownership in the past, telling Field Yates and Matthew Berry on ESPN's Fantasy Focus podcast (h/t AJ Neuharth-Keusch of USA Today) that he would like to own an NFL team someday.