Giannis Antetokounmpo’s exit speech from the 2023 Playoffs was legendary. It has garnered worldwide attention and appreciation of prestigious names from several sports. Be it Real Madrid’s Ancelotti or Greek Tennis player Sakkari, athletes radiate with his words on a personal level. In the 2022-23 season, Giannis averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game. The 7-time all-star has a remarkable NBA resume with 2 all-star and season MVPs, 5 all-defensive lists and a championship. The accolades by his name added weight to his words.

But despite his basketball prowess, The Greek Freak‘s first love was Football. Moreover, he has always displayed his love for the kicking sport whenever he has had the chance. From joining the Nashville SC ownership group to penning a heartfelt message to a retiring Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he follows the sport with passion.

Giannis Antetokounmpo to Saudi Pro League

Established in 1976, The Saudi Pro League (SPL) is one of the top-tier professional football leagues. Featuring 16 teams competing for the title, the league has gained significant popularity in recent years. It has attracted renowned players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo Brozovic, Rúben Neves and many others.

While catering to a massive international audience, several NBA players have also demonstrated their admiration for the league. In a recent update by Giannis, he posted a video of him juggling a football with a message for the Saudi Pro League. “Saudi Pro League still need strikers?”

From what it appears, Giannis spotted a football in a mall and couldn’t help himself from getting a few touches. He also has his hands in his pocket, which is remarkable.

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Before his first NBA stint, a young Antetokounmpo was interested in players like Giovanni from Brazil and Thierry Henry, the French striker for Arsenal. In fact, Giannis’ initial desire was to become a football player to fulfill his father’s wish.

Recent top-attractions of Saudi Pro League

The Saudi Pro League has attracted some of the world’s best players. In December 2022, Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract reportedly worth $215 million annually. N’Golo Kante is also set to join Al-Ittihad on a four-year deal worth around $109 million. The league was close to signing Lionel Messi, offering him a lucrative three-year deal worth $1.6 billion. However, Messi opted to sign with MLS side Inter Miami instead.

With significant financial investments, Saudi Arabia aims to elevate the SPL into a top-tier league, attracting iconic players. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently acquired 75% stakes in four SPL clubs—Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli—and owns 80% of EPL side Newcastle United.

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On the NBA front, several star players like LeBron James, Russel Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have invested in Football Leagues. With the growing interest of NBA players in Football on a personal and business level, how can their names contribute to the evolution of the sport?