Grant Hill has become a minority owner of MLS club Orlando City and Orlando Pride of the NWSL

NBA icon Grant Hill has gone from Orlando City season-ticket holder to becoming an investor in the MLS club.

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer is already a hero in Orlando having spent seven successful seasons with the NBA’s Magic in the 2000s.

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Grant Hill and his wife Tamia have invested in Orlando City and Orlando PrideCredit: Orlando City

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Hill played for the Orlando Magic for seven seasons in 2000sCredit: Getty

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Hill is also an investor in the Atlanta HawksCredit: Getty
And he has deepened his ties with the Florida city by joining the ownership group of MLS club Orlando City and sister team Orlando Pride of the NWSL.

The clubs are majority-owned by the Wilf family, while the DeVos family, who own the Magic, also have a minority stake.

Hill and his wife Tamia, who is also an investor in the clubs, first got into soccer when their children Myla and Lael started playing the sport growing up.

And the Orlando residents soon followed the Pride in the NWSL, becoming season-ticket holders.

“We became huge fans. Through the Pride, we were introduced to Orlando City,”  Hill told OrlandoCitySC.com. 

Hill and Tamia then got to know the Wilf family during games at Exploria Stadium in neighboring boxes, leading to the investment opportunity.

“They understand what it takes to be successful and they’re gonna apply that here to both of these franchises,” Hill said.

“We’re fans first and foremost, but to be able to be part of the mission here and certainly the ownership group is a big thrill for us.

“And we’re excited. We’re soccer junkies, and we look forward to helping both franchises reach the goal of winning championships.

“That’s what it’s all about.”

Hill is also an investor in the Atlanta Hawks and has been highly successful in the business world through the founding of Hill Ventures, a commercial real estate company.

He is also a basketball broadcaster for Turner Sports, NBA TV, and CBS Sports and is the the Managing Director for the USA Men’s National Basketball Team.

Hill, who earned over $100 million in his career, joins a number of other NBA stars who are also investors in professional soccer teams.

They include Dwayne Wade (Real Salt Lake), Kevin Durant (Philadelphia Union), James Harden (Houston Dynamo), Magic Johnson (LAFC), Steve Nash (Vancouver Whitecaps), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Nashville SC), LeBron James (Liverpool FC), and Dominique Wilkins (Birmingham Legion).