Earlier this week, Snoop Dogg expanded his business and entertainment empire even further, this time venturing across the ocean and purchasing Welsh football (soccer) team Swansea City. While Snoop joins other American superstars who have invested in overseas football such as Tom Brady and Ryan Reynolds, he also joins some of his hip-hop peers who are either full or partial owners of sports entities. The following artists have bridged hip‑hop and athletics through ownership, ambassador roles, or league creation—leveraging their platforms to shape sports culture, marketing, and community engagement.
Jay‑Z (Nets): Became a minority owner of the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets in 2004 (approximately 1–1.5% stake), playing a key role in the team’s relocation and rebranding. He relinquished the stake in 2013 to comply with NBA agent regulations while launching Roc Nation Sports.
Nelly (Charlotte Bobcats and St. Louis Nellies): Nelly has perhaps diversified his ownership in sports more than anyone. He first became a minority co-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats (later Hornets) in 2004 as part of an investor group led by Robert Johnson. (His involvement made him one of the first artists with ownership in an NBA franchise.) This year, he announced his ownership of the St. Louis Nellies, a horse racing team, which made its debut at Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Illinois for an event that was part of the National Thoroughbred League.
Usher (Cleveland Cavaliers): Joined an investor group led by Dan Gilbert, chairman and founder of Quicken Loans, to take partial ownership of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005, investing approximately $9 million. He was noted for helping to enhance the entertainment side of events at the club and was integral in campaigning for LeBron James’ return to the team.
Tems (San Diego Football Club): Became the first African woman to be involved in Major League Soccer (MLS) ownership when she joined the San Diego Football Club’s ownership group as a club partner through her company, The Leading Vibe. In a press release announcing the news, the “Me & U” singer expressed her excitement, stating, “football has an incredible ability to unite people, and I look forward to helping build something meaningful in San Diego—a city known for its diversity and forward-thinking spirit.”
2 Chainz (College Park Skyhawks): In 2019, he acquired a minority stake in the College Park Skyhawks, the NBA G-League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks. He is the first rapper to own a G-League team.
Justin Timberlake (Memphis Grizzlies): Became a minority owner of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies in 2012, joining the ownership group when Robert Pera acquired the team. Through his investment company, Tennman Sports, LLC, Timberlake secured a 2.84% stake in the franchise. A proud Memphis native, Timberlake is frequently spotted at Grizzlies games, whether courtside or in luxury suites- or performing the national anthem. He has consistently shown strong support for both the team and the city, even appearing in a promotional video appealing to point guard Mike Conley to re-sign with the team.
Marc Anthony (and formerly Jennifer Lopez (Miami Dolphins): When the couple were married, they bought a minority share of the Miami Dolphins (as the couple had a second home in Miami). Upon their divorce, Anthony bought out Lopez’s shares an he continues to be involved with the team. (Other notable celebrities that have or had partial ownership stake in the Dolphins include Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Venus and Serena Williams, and Fergie.)
Drake (informal ambassador of the Toronto Raptors ): Though not an owner, he serves as the global ambassador for the Toronto Raptors and holds a stake in York United FC in the Canadian Premier League. His branding influence has helped elevate team visibility, especially during the team’s 2019 championship season.
Ice Cube (BIG3): Co-founded the BIG3 professional 3-on-3 basketball league in 2017, playing a hands-on ownership and promotional role in building the league’s identity and structure