Giannis Antetokounmpo Talks Bucks Commitment, Chelsea Investment

The trade saga between the Bucks and star Giannis Antetokounmpo fizzled out at the trade deadline after months of very public speculation.

In response to the lack of an eventual deal, Antetokounmpo took to social media, writing, “Legends don’t chase. They attract” (Instagram video link) and indicating that as long as he’s in Milwaukee, he’s committed to the team.

He reiterated that sentiment at All-Star weekend, according to the writers at ESPN.

“What I’ve said from the beginning of this year is that, out of my mouth and the way I’ve carried myself, you will never hear me say I don’t want to be a Milwaukee Buck,” the two-time MVP told ESPN’s Malike Andrews.

However, even in these statements, disclaimers popped up in his speech.

“As of today, I’m committed to the Milwaukee Bucks,” Antetokounmpo said, in a statement that echoed previous ones he has made throughout the year.

He also openly discussed the appeal other teams hold, at least as far as wish fulfillment goes.

“Growing up, you dream, ‘Oh, what if I played for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden,” he said. “What if I get drafted by the Lakers and I’m teammates with Kobe Bryant? What if I go play for the Cavs and LeBron [James] passes me the ball?‘”

While Antetokounmpo made clear that getting back to competing for championships is paramount — he likened it to trying a delicious steak and not being able to get it out of your head — he doubled down on his commitment to the Bucks, at least for the rest of the season.

“This is my team, and I love it,” he said.

Antetokounmpo also spoke to Eric Nehm of The Athletic about his recent investment in the Chelsea Women’s soccer club.

On February 7, Antetokounmpo announced (via Twitter) that he had joined the ownership group for the club alongside Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

“Chelsea’s history speaks for itself, and I’m excited to contribute to the future by supporting continued growth and impact in women’s sport,” he wrote in the post. “This is about ambition, legacy, and pushing the game to new heights.”

Talking to Nehm, Antetokounmpo revealed how appealing the idea of doing something to amplify women’s sport was to him.

“He was telling me how he wants to make a difference and do things that his daughters can remember him for, and I was like, ‘Damn, I didn’t even think about that,'” Antetokounmpo said. “… [Ohanian] was like… ‘I’m trying to keep on pushing forward and investing in women’s sports and just change the narrative around that’. And I said, ‘Hey, I mean, just let me know when and what I gotta do’, and then the opportunity came to my desk of investing and being a minority owner of Chelsea Women. I was like, ‘Say less. I want to do it.'”

Nehm writes that it’s unclear the size of the stake the Greek star has in the club.

He adds that while most seasons in which Antetokounmpo would be facing playoff games until the late spring or early summer, with the Bucks on the outside of the playoff picture, this could be an opportunity for the new minority owner to get some facetime with the team, an idea Antetokounmpo agreed with.

“This is probably the only off-season that I’m going to have that I’ll be able to probably go out there and be around the team, meet the players, meet the staff and see what it’s about,” he said.