Antetokounmpo Brothers Carry On Their Father's Legacy With Soccer Team Ownership

The Antetokounmpo brothers can now add "own a soccer team" to their long list of accomplishments!

On Thursday, Nashville Soccer Club announced their newest owners - Giannis, Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex Antetokounmpo, as well as NFL star Flip Forsberg.

Thanasis talked about the big news on his podcast, "Thanalysis."

"We're very, very excited. Just us, coming from where we are from. And our dad played soccer. He couldn't achieve his dream through soccer and us years later be able to own a team, have ownership in a soccer team, I wish he was here to see us and what we're doing," Thanasis said. "I can't wait to put my jersey on and go to Nashville, Tennessee and watch some games."

Thanasis shared a clip on Instagram from his recent podcast announcing the news of the soccer team ownership. His caption explained how proud the family is to be able to continue their father's legacy.

Nashville SC dropped into the comments to say, "Welcome to the family ⚽️." Another follower wrote, "y'all making your dad proud."

Thanasis also talked to ESPN over a Zoom call about this new opportunity for the family.

"[Nashville] seems like a special place; there's so much that's up-and-coming," Thanasis told ESPN. "And we kind of had the same journey as well. Like, we've really fought to be in the big leagues, to be there, to be acknowledged, and somebody came and gave us an opportunity. And at the same time, for us to not only give the sport of soccer an opportunity to grow but [be known] overseas as well. I want people globally to know about Nashville and see the soccer team. So it's a thing for us. It's big."

In a release about the team's newest owners, Giannis talked about his father, Charles, and his love for the sport. "My father was a professional soccer player, and it was the first sport I fell in love with in Greece. I’ve always had the dream of owning a soccer team," Giannis said in a release.

"When my brothers and I explored Nashville SC, we knew it was a team and a city that we wanted to get involved with. I couldn’t be more excited to join the Boys in Gold and can’t wait to come to a match at GEODIS Park soon!"

Charles played professionally in Nigeria and Germany. Their oldest brother, Francis, also played professionally in Greece. The siblings' father died in 2017 and this investment helps to continue his legacy for the family.

"I know he'll be so proud of us today, that this is happening," Thanasis said. "It's not just the investment part of it. There's a part of it that's a legacy, that for us, it's for generations to come that we're part of this."

Giannis and Nashville SC shared a video clip on Instagram showing some highlights from the siblings checking out the team jerseys.

Another way the Antetokounmpo family is keeping Charles' legacy alive and well is through the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation. Through their efforts, they recently raised funds during their first "Poverty Is No Joke" event.

During the first six months as a foundation, they launched three partnerships - the AntetokounBros Academy, Milwaukee Diaper Mission, and NBPA Foundation.

The website explains the family's mission. "CAFF operates in Nigeria, Greece and the U.S.A., places central to the Antetokounmpo family journey. By investing in local nonprofits and change-makers on the ground in these countries, we fuel a global movement for sustainable social change."