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A couple of Oklahoma sports legends are among the athletes joining the growing roster of investors in Oklahoma City’s new professional soccer franchise.
Baker Mayfield, Jalen Williams and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone are investing in the club as well as the stadium district around the downtown multipurpose stadium that is being developed by Echo Investment Capital, it announced Thursday. They join a group that already includes Russell Westbrook, Jozy Altidore and Nik Bonito.
“This is a defining moment for Oklahoma City,” Echo founding partner and CEO Christian Kanady said in a release announcing the new partners. “We have always believed sports can be a catalyst for community and economic growth, and to have athletes of this caliber put their names and capital behind that vision is extraordinary.”
Mayfield, the OU football legend, is the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Williams has become an All-Star and NBA champion in his four seasons with the Thunder. McLauglin-Levrone is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles.
“Jalen, Baker and Sydney each bring a unique platform and an authentic belief in what we are building here,” Kanady said. “Together with Russell and Jozy, this investor roster reflects a level of conviction in Oklahoma City's future you rarely see assembled around a single project.”
OKC’s downtown multipurpose stadium is expected to open in 2028, and its anchor tenant will be a new soccer team that will play in the USL Championship. The UFL has also announced it intends to add an expansion team in Oklahoma City to its spring football league.
Echo is also planning major development around the stadium that it hopes will become a hub for entertainment and education as well as soccer.
“To partner with Christian and this group of exceptional athletes on a project rooted to grow Oklahoma City is something I’m genuinely proud of,” Mayfield said in the release.
“Oklahoma made me who I am as a player and as a person.”
Williams said, “Oklahoma City has given me so much, and being part of this investment is a chance to give something back beyond what I do on the court. The Thunder organization, the fans and the entire community here show up for each other in a way that is rare in pro sports. Helping bring a soccer club and stadium district to life is exactly the kind of long-term impact I want to have in Oklahoma City.”
Unlike Mayfield and Williams, McLaughlin-Levrone does not have strong Oklahoma ties. But as one of the greatest hurdlers and sprinters in the world, much less America, she is aware of how sports can change lives. That is what drew her to the project.
“Oklahoma City is investing in its young people in a serious way,” McLaughlin-Levrone said in the release. “By hosting events in the LA28 Olympic Games just minutes from this new stadium and entertainment district, Oklahoma City’s next generation of athletes and leaders will have access to world-class sports on their doorstep.
“That is the kind of legacy I want to invest in.”
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at [email protected]. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Baker Mayfield, Jalen Williams, more join OKC soccer investors
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Baker Mayfield, Jalen Williams and Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone are investing in the club as well as the stadium district around the downtown multipurpose stadium that is being developed by Echo Investment Capital, it announced Thursday. They join a group that already includes Russell Westbrook, Jozy Altidore and Nik Bonito.
“This is a defining moment for Oklahoma City,” Echo founding partner and CEO Christian Kanady said in a release announcing the new partners. “We have always believed sports can be a catalyst for community and economic growth, and to have athletes of this caliber put their names and capital behind that vision is extraordinary.”
Mayfield, the OU football legend, is the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while Williams has become an All-Star and NBA champion in his four seasons with the Thunder. McLauglin-Levrone is a four-time Olympic gold medalist and the world record holder in the 400-meter hurdles.
“Jalen, Baker and Sydney each bring a unique platform and an authentic belief in what we are building here,” Kanady said. “Together with Russell and Jozy, this investor roster reflects a level of conviction in Oklahoma City's future you rarely see assembled around a single project.”
OKC’s downtown multipurpose stadium is expected to open in 2028, and its anchor tenant will be a new soccer team that will play in the USL Championship. The UFL has also announced it intends to add an expansion team in Oklahoma City to its spring football league.
Echo is also planning major development around the stadium that it hopes will become a hub for entertainment and education as well as soccer.
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“To partner with Christian and this group of exceptional athletes on a project rooted to grow Oklahoma City is something I’m genuinely proud of,” Mayfield said in the release.
“Oklahoma made me who I am as a player and as a person.”
Williams said, “Oklahoma City has given me so much, and being part of this investment is a chance to give something back beyond what I do on the court. The Thunder organization, the fans and the entire community here show up for each other in a way that is rare in pro sports. Helping bring a soccer club and stadium district to life is exactly the kind of long-term impact I want to have in Oklahoma City.”
Unlike Mayfield and Williams, McLaughlin-Levrone does not have strong Oklahoma ties. But as one of the greatest hurdlers and sprinters in the world, much less America, she is aware of how sports can change lives. That is what drew her to the project.
“Oklahoma City is investing in its young people in a serious way,” McLaughlin-Levrone said in the release. “By hosting events in the LA28 Olympic Games just minutes from this new stadium and entertainment district, Oklahoma City’s next generation of athletes and leaders will have access to world-class sports on their doorstep.
“That is the kind of legacy I want to invest in.”
Jenni Carlson: Jenni can be reached at [email protected]. Like her at facebook.com/JenniCarlsonOK, follow her at @jennicarlsonok.bsky.social and twitter.com/jennicarlson_ok, and support her work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Baker Mayfield, Jalen Williams, more join OKC soccer investors
Continue reading...
