NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook has joined the 49ers Enterprises ownership group as a minor stakeholder in Leeds United.

The consortium is led by the financial arm of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, and recently agreed to a deal that would grant them full ownership of the Yorkshire club.

On his decision to join the group, Westbrook said: “I was lucky enough to have conversations with some of the partners in this deal, who already have ownership, the 49ers.

“So I was lucky enough to talk through that with friends, talking with my business partner as well about different things and having conversations, figuring out if this was the right deal and how we could make it different.”

Westbrook joins fellow NBA stars Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Lebron James as an investor in the beautiful game. While James has a stake in Liverpool, most NBA players with investments in the sport opt for MLS teams and other clubs closer to home.

Westbrook is just one example of American athletes’ new investment – both emotional and financial – in football across the pond.

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