Grant Hill will headline the celebrity field at the American Century Championship (July 10–12, Edgewood Tahoe) while underscoring his growing role in U.S. soccer as a part-owner of MLS’s Orlando City SC and NWSL’s Orlando Pride — joining a wave of elite athletes, including Patrick Mahomes, who are investing in the sport ahead of the World Cup and a surge in domestic interest.
Grant Hill brings star power to American Century Championship and U.S. soccer ownership
Grant Hill confirmed he’ll play the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe (July 10–12), a spotlight event televised on NBC and Peacock. A relative newcomer to golf — he only began playing around 2020 — Hill praised the event’s energy and competitive yet convivial atmosphere, signaling that celebrity golf remains fertile ground for high-profile athletes to broaden their public profiles.
Hill’s dual role: competitor and soccer investor
Hill is part-owner of MLS’s Orlando City SC and NWSL’s Orlando Pride, joining a cohort of sports stars investing in American soccer. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, for example, is a co-owner of NWSL side KC Current. Hill traces his passion for soccer back to childhood and family life; his daughter’s upcoming college soccer career reconnected him to the sport and helped fuel his investment decisions.
Why athlete ownership matters for MLS and NWSL
Athlete investors bring more than capital: they bring media attention, cross-sport fan engagement and credibility. With recognizable names attached to MLS and NWSL franchises, clubs can expand audiences and attract sponsors who value multi-sport narratives. That dynamic matters most as U.S. soccer prepares to host World Cup matches and push long-term grassroots growth.
Local impact and the World Cup spotlight
Kansas City has a deep soccer history — Arrowhead Stadium hosted local teams and will stage World Cup matches — giving the region a chance to showcase soccer passion on the global stage. Hill sees the World Cup as a momentum amplifier, likely to boost fan interest, youth participation and commercial opportunities across MLS and NWSL.
American Century Championship: stakes and significance
The celebrity tournament offers a $750,000 purse with $150,000 for first place and has donated more than $8 million to charity over the years. Network exposure on NBC/Peacock ensures participating athletes convert short-term attention into broader visibility, whether for charitable causes, personal brands or their sports investments.
What Hill’s involvement signals
Hill’s crossover from basketball legend to golf competitor and soccer club owner illustrates a broader trend: top athletes leveraging their platforms to shape U.S. sports culture. His public enthusiasm underscores how personal connections — family, childhood ties and regional loyalties — can translate into meaningful ownership and advocacy.
What to watch next
Hill’s performance at Edgewood Tahoe will be measured alongside his off-field investments. Expect the World Cup to intensify interest in MLS and NWSL, and watch whether more athletes follow Hill and Mahomes into ownership roles. For franchises, that could mean faster growth, deeper community ties and heightened media attention in the run-up to and aftermath of the World Cup.
Bottom line
Grant Hill’s dual profile as an American Century Championship entrant and soccer owner exemplifies how athletes today shape multiple sports narratives.
Chris Richards is a key asset to the USMNT’s backline
His involvement boosts visibility for MLS and NWSL at a pivotal moment and reinforces the cross-pollination between celebrity sport events and long-term investment in U.S. soccer.
Yahoo! News
