Tennessee rapper Yo Gotti has recently become one of the four new minority owners of D.C. United soccer club this week.
The multi-platinum rapper joins a decently sized ownership group that includes Houston Texans’ running back Mark Ingram II, as well as billionaires Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan. It has been popular for hip-hop artists to invest their money more than spending it. Though it does seem odd for a rapper to get involved with a soccer club. It would be different if he was involved or previously played soccer.
Image via @yogotti on Instagram
Why Yo Gotti Wanted Co-Ownership
Yo Gotti explains his involvement in a D.C. United press release on Monday:
“I was introduced to the game by my son and watched how quickly it has grown in our country, so I’m honored to join the D.C. United ownership group…I’ve long admired [D.C. United co-chairmen] Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan’s ambition and entrepreneurship and look forward to collaborating with them – and the entire ownership group – to further elevate D.C. United’s commitment to connecting soccer, entertainment, community, and culture. Together, we’re going to enhance fan experience and bring new and exciting events to Audi Field.”
This is one of Yo Gotti’s biggest business ventures yet. Though he is a Nashville native, Yo Gotti saw the opportunity to be a minority owner of the most decorated team in Major League Soccer. The top-tier team in D.C. has won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup three times, Supporters’ Shield four times, and the MLS Cup four times.
The Entrepreneur Spirit of Yo Gotti
Yo Gotti is known for his successful music career. His record label is responsible for putting artists like Moneybagg Yo and 42 Dugg on the map. However, people know that Yo Gotti is an active entrepreneur.
He joins three other entrepreneurs as minority owners, which means they individually hold less than 51% of the shares of the team organization. This includes the CEO of Granite Associates, Inc., Adam Gerry, and local D.C. business mogul Joe Mamo. Additionally, current English Championship football player Jake Silverstein, who used to own Houston Dynamo FC and currently co-owns Swansea City AFC, is the fourth minority owner and the only one of the four to actually have experience as a player or owner.
Yo Gotti shows his support through a D.C. United logo as his Instagram profile picture and three posts about the soccer club. One of those posts includes a video of a new D.C. United chain that’s absolutely iced out. This marks one of the few crossovers of hip-hop and soccer.
