Durant joins ownership group of MLS' Philadelphia Union

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant has joined ownership group of Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union.

Durant, a 10-time NBA All-Star, has a 5% ownership stake, with an option for 5% more in near future, Union anunced Monday.

“I’ve always been a soccer fan and have wanted to get into it in a meaningful way. My team and I felt an instant connection with Philadelphia Union ownership and staff and ir vision for a partnership," Durant said in a statement. "While you won’t get to see me at games for w, my team and I will be taking an active role in community where I can help give back to Chester (Pennsylvania) and Philadelphia.”

Union and Durant's Thirty Five Ventures, a firm he runs with sports executive Rich Kleiman, will partner to grow team's profile and community outreach through Kevin Durant Charity Foundation.

Thirty Five Ventures and Union aim to develop community programs in Chester, Pennsylvania, home of Union's Subaru Park, to address racial and social injustice as well as recovery efforts from coronavirus pandemic.

“This partnership was months in making and in process, our teams got to kw each or very well and understand true potential for future,” Kleiman said. "We believe that Thirty Five Ventures and our expertise will attract new fans in Philly and beyond, so we’re excited to get started.”

Major League Soccer's season has been on hold since March 12 because of pandemic. 26-team league is set to restart next month with a World Cup-style tournament at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex at Walt Disney World in Florida.

NBA also is planning an August restart, with playoffs held at Disney World.