Report: NBA's Kevin Durant Buys Stake in Paris Saint-Germain After 2024 Olympics
Aug 12, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Kevin Durant of US in action during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Kevin Durant reportedly is now a minority stakeholder in French soccer giant Paris Saint-Germain, according to Peter Rutzler of The Athletic and football reporter Fabrizio Romano.
Kevin Durant is set to become a minority shareholder of PSG, per multiple reports 🏀⚽ pic.twitter.com/0d5BmQL14Y
Rutzler reported that, "According to sources with knowledge of the agreement—granted anonymity to protect relationships—Durant's investment firm Boardroom has bought a 'single digit millions' shareholding in the Arctos fund which has invested in PSG."
Boardroom, the media and entertainment brand co-founded by Durant, confirmed his investment into PSG on Monday:
BREAKING: 2x NBA Champion Kevin Durant has invested in Paris Saint-Germain through his Boardroom Sports Holdings, LLC via Arctos Partners, the strategic minority investor in the club.
The U.S. private investment firm previously purchased a 12.5 percent stake in PSG, per Rutzler. Durant reportedly met with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi last week during his stay in France for the Paris Olympics.
"It was an honour to welcome Kevin Durant to the Campus today and to witness his passion for Paris Saint-Germain and his recognition of the excellent sports facilities at our new PSG Campus training centre," said Al-Khelaifi said following Durant's tour of the club.
"Kevin is an inspirational athlete, investor and all-round role model, both on and off the pitch," he continued. "We are extremely proud of his connection to the Paris Saint-Germain family as we share the same values and vision. We look forward to strengthening our ties and working together with Kevin and Boardroom to bring the best in sport and entertainment to fans around the world."
It is unclear if PSG—which also has teams in women's soccer, handball, judo and esports—is interested in branching off to basketball as well. Many European clubs renowned for soccer, like Spain's Real Madrid and Barcelona, also have successful basketball teams.
If the club did go that route, Durant would be a logical advisor, given his successful NBA career that has included two championships, an MVP award, 14 All-Star Game nods and four scoring titles.
Kylian Mbappé: Certain PSG People, Things Made Me Unhappy Before Real Madrid Contract
Jun 4, 2024
France's forward Kylian Mbappe speaks during a press conference on the eve of the team's international friendly against Luxembourg, as part of their preparations for the UEFA Euro 2024 European football championships, in Longeville-les-Metz, eastern France, on June 4, 2024. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappé is pulling back the curtain a bit following his exit from Paris Saint-Germain and move to Real Madrid this summer.
"I wasn't unhappy at PSG, that would be a slap in the face of the people who defended me — I have always been happy," he told reporters Tuesday.
"But certain things made me unhappy, but a player like me couldn't show that because I am a leader, so I tried to be as positive as possible. The coach, the players and the employees of the club supported me, and it would be bad form to come and moan and say that I was unhappy. But certain things and people made me unhappy."
Paris Saint-Germain has already fired back, with a club source telling Agence France-Presse (via Get French Football News) that Mbappé "has absolutely no class."
Based on Mbappé's retelling, PSG officials told him he wouldn't play for the club amid questions over his long-term commitment last summer. Manager Luis Enrique and football advisor Luis Campos "saved" him and ensured the 25-year-old would be on the pitch.
While Paris Saint-Germain omitted Mbappé from a preseason tour and the Ligue 1 opener, it seems impossible he would've been frozen out or refused to play once it became clear he wasn't leaving before the close of the summer transfer window.
The dynamic forward was PSG's best player, finishing with 44 goals and 10 assists across all competitions. The club wasn't going to let him languish on the bench as it sought to win the French league again and pursue the Champions League triumph that has proven so elusive.
The PSG source maintained to the AFP that club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi "has never dictated any decision regarding the team."
Likewise, Mbappé wasn't going to risk not playing in a season leading up to an international tournament. Euro 2024 kicks off June 14 in Germany and France is one of the strongest sides in the field.
Because his contract expired, Mbappé was allowed to make a straightforward break with Paris Saint-Germain and sign with the club of his choosing. However, it sounds like the separation is still going to get messy.
Kylian Mbappé to Announce Next Team in a 'Few Days' amid Real Madrid Rumors, PSG Exit
May 26, 2024
LILLE, FRANCE - MAY 25: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain looks on during warmup before the French Cup final match between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais at Stade Pierre Mauroy on May 25, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)
Kylian Mbappé confirmed an announcement about his next club is imminent after he signaled the end of his time at Paris Saint-Germain.
"All I wanted was to finish well. There is a time for everything," he told reporters after PSG beat Lyon 2-1 in the final of the Coupe de France. I will announce my new club in due course. It will be only a few days away so there is no problem."
Mbappé's future in France has been an ongoing storyline for multiple years now, and he finally brought the speculation to an end when he announced on May 10 his forthcoming exit.
Real Madrid is widely expected to be the 25-year-old's next stop, but the timing hasn't worked out for him to reveal his final choice.
PSG, which had already secured the Ligue 1 title by the time Mbappé's departure was made public, still had the Coupe de France final to look forward to. Real Madrid, meanwhile, plays Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League final this coming Saturday.
Mbappé probably didn't want to take the spotlight away from his current club or his presumed next club any more than he already had. In addition, PSG would've played Madrid in the Champions League final if it could've gotten the better of Dortmund in the semifinal.
The star forward didn't commit to revealing where he'll be playing before he embarks on national team duty with France at Euro 2024.
"I still don't know, there are still some details," he said. "The most important thing was to win and to experience these final emotions."
Mbappé and his representatives have had at least a few weeks to explore his options and begin working toward an agreement, and informal discussions almost assuredly happened well before his official announcement.
Because of that, you'd assume the involved parties are far enough along to where they can publicize a tentative bargain at their earliest convenience.
Video: Kylian Mbappé Announces PSG Exit Amid Real Madrid Transfer Rumors
May 10, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 07: Kylian Mbappe of PSG warms up prior to the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on May 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images) (Photo by Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
After months of rumors and speculation, French soccer star Kylian Mbappé announced Friday that he is leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the conclusion of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season.
In a video posted on X, Mbappé said he will not extend his contract beyond this season and that he will play his final home match for PSG against Toulouse on Sunday:
It was first reported last summer that Mbappé would likely leave PSG at the end of the season and join Real Madrid. In February, BBC Sport's Guillem Balague reported that while Mbappé hadn't yet officially signed with Real Madrid, he agreed to a five-year deal with the club that would pay him €15 million ($16 million) per season and a €150 million ($161 million) signing bonus.
Mbappé, 25, has spent the past seven seasons at PSG after making the leap from AS Monaco during the 2017-18 season.
This season, Mbappé has scored 26 goals in 28 Ligue 1 matches, marking his fourth consecutive season with between 26 and 29 goals in league play.
He also has 43 goals in 46 matches across all competitions this season, marking a new career high and his third 40-goal season in the past four years.
With Mbappé leading the way, PSG are first in the Ligue 1 standings with 70 points this season, putting them nine ahead of second-place Monaco.
They have already clinched their sixth Ligue 1 title during Mbappé's tenure, plus they finished as the UEFA Champions League runner-up in 2020.
On top of that, Mbappé has been a force internationally for France, earning the distinction of best young player at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which France won. He also won the Golden Boot and Silver Ball at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which saw France finish as the runner-up to Argentina.
With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo nearing the twilight of their respective careers, there is a strong case to be made for Mbappé being the best player in the world currently.
He will represent a massive loss for PSG, but if he goes to Real Madrid, he will be a huge addition for a Los Blancos club that has dominated La Liga this season with 87 points via 27 wins, six draws and only one loss. The club also advanced to the Champions League final after rallying to beat Bayern Munich.
Kylian Mbappé, PSG Trolled for Champions League Failure as Dortmund Advance to Final
May 7, 2024
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 07: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain looks dejected during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund at Parc des Princes on May 07, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
The wait goes on for Paris Saint-Germain.
The French giant was felled by Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals of the Champions League.
With Dortmund holding onto a 1-0 lead from the first leg, Mats Hummels provided some insurance with a header in the 50th minute.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 7, 2024
Symbolizing how the two-legged affair unfolded, Hummels' goal came moments after PSG midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery hit a close-range effort off the woodwork. That was one of four shots the team hit off the frame of the goal.
Paris Saint-Germain was a bit unfortunate to be held scoreless in the first leg. Its luck was even worse in the return fixture.
Tuesday night offered another searing indictment of PSG's long-term project. It can keep winning Ligue 1 every season, but that's overshadowed by the absence of a single Champions League trophy to date.
The managers have changed. The key players have changed. And the outcome remains the same.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 7, 2024
PSG are officially jinxed never to win the Champions League.Dortmund magnificent defending. One of their greatest nights. Back to Wembley for the final.
The amount of talent that PSG has had since they started their project and this is all they have to show for it. Disgusting. pic.twitter.com/wIzjcyNma4
PSG spent €400M last summer alone on players yet they can’t win a single UCL. When you could not win a UCL while having Messi, Neymar AND Mbappé, it tells you that brand names alone don’t = success. Congrats to BVB, a win for football.
Nobody represents Paris Saint-Germain's failures better than Kylian Mbappé. While the 25-year-old's talent is undeniable, you can't help but think his career has stagnated a bit thanks in part to his side's domestic dominance.
Now Mbappé is poised to leave France behind — likely for Real Madrid — without having even collected a Champions League medal. Assuming he's out the door, being largely anonymous over the two legs against Borussia Dortmund is a disappointing way for what should've been a much more memorable run to end.
In the pantheon of Paris Saint-Germain's defeats in the Champions League knockout stages, this probably isn't the worst or most embarrasing.
But it might be the most frustrating because the road couldn't have been much easier to the final. While far from a minnow, Borussia Dortmund sits fifth in the Bundesliga and clearly couldn't match the Parisians' talent level. Overturning a one-goal deficit at Parc des Princes should've been pretty straightforward for PSG.
There's also Mbappé's impending free agency, which added a layer of urgency to this season. The club should have ample funds to sign a replacement(s), but taking a step backward might be inevitable when losing a star of his caliber.
It will be fascinating to see whether Paris Saint-Germain opts for a more dramatic shift in its approach in a post-Mbappé future. The status quo certainly isn't cutting it.
Borussia Dortmund took down Paris Saint-Germain in an excellent 1-0 victory in Wednesday's Champions League semifinal first leg.
Barcelona Trolled by Fans for Dramatic Collapse vs. Kylian Mbappé, PSG in 2024 UCL QF
Apr 16, 2024
BARCELONA, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Kylian Mbappe of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates scoring his team's third goal from a penalty kick during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 16, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
It took seven years but Paris Saint-Germain finally paid Barcelona back for La Remontada.
PSG earned a 4-1 win in the second leg of the clubs' Champions League quarterfinal clash Tuesday night to prevail 6-4 on aggregate.
Barcelona appeared to have one foot in the semifinal when Raphinha scored in the 12th minute, only for the match to turn on its head after Ronald Araújo received a red card in the 29th minute. The home side's downfall wasn't immediate but quickly cascaded.
Ousmane Dembélé got a goal back for Paris Saint-Germain before halftime. Vitinha leveled the tie up in the 54th minute. And the comeback was complete after a João Cancelo foul allowed Kylian Mbappé to step up to the penalty spot and hammer home the pivotal tally.
WHO ELSE BUT KYLIAN MBAPPÉ? 🇫🇷
João Cancelo makes a rash challenge and the World Cup winner makes no mistake from 12 yards 🥶 pic.twitter.com/vZDS41V2lv
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 16, 2024
Mbappé put the finishing touches on the result in the 89th minute, scoring from close range after Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen had successfully parried away two scoring chances.
World football fans have grown accustomed to Paris Saint-Germain unraveling in the knockout stages of the Champions League. On Tuesday, the shoe was on the other foot.
The score doesn't do justice to the scale of Barça's collapse. The team simply looked bereft of ideas after Araújo's red card and manager Xavi earned his own sending-off midway through the second half, a moment that laid bare how badly he and his club lost their heads.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 16, 2024
Social media had a field day with the Catalans' reversal of fortunes.
Xavi getting sent off as Barcelona manager for almost booting some TV equipment while wearing a Stone Island jumper is not the story arc we imagined for him 10 years ago
Various Barça issues tonight: 1. Fundamentally they're not good, we knew this. Can't hold the ball well, can't build up well. 2. 66% of the starting midfield was barely back from injury 3. Araujo did the dumbest thing possible 4. Cancelo did the second dumbest thing possible
Xavi completely and utterly mismanaged that 10 men situation. He managed it exactly how England managers tend to respond to moments of adversity… cower and just keep all the experienced players on and take off all the avenues of progression. Just sitting there like a duck… pic.twitter.com/HscOidEGQH
— Pythagoras In Boots ⚽️ (@pythaginboots) April 16, 2024
The Champions League was Barcelona's last chance to secure some major silverware this season. The club was dumped out of the Copa del Rey in the quarterfinals in January and sits eight points back of first-place Real Madrid in La Liga with seven matches to play.
It's difficult to picture how this campaign could be unfolding any worse absent Barça winding up lower than fourth in La Liga and missing out on UCL revenue for next year.
The outlook for 2024-25 and beyond isn't very promising, either. This might have been Barcelona's best shot at winning the Champions League for the foreseeable future and those hopes went up in flames.
