NBA star Gilgeous-Alexander takes stake in Spanish soccer giant Atletico Madrid

MADRID (AP) — NBA champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined the ownership group at Atletico Madrid, the Spanish top-flight club said Friday.

The Oklahoma City Thunder guard has become the latest North American sports star to take an interest in soccer, following the likes of LeBron James and Tom Brady.

“This is a club with a long-standing presence at the top of European football, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of its future,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

Atletico said the partnership was “grounded in shared values: ambition, excellence and the belief that every result must be earned.”

James became a part-owner of the Fenway Sports Group in 2021, the conglomerate that owns the Boston Red Sox and iconic Premier League club Liverpool.

NFL great Brady is a minority owner of English second-tier team Birmingham.

Atletico did not reveal how big a stake 2025 NBA champion and back-to-back NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander had taken.

“His investment reflects an interest in the club’s long-term vision and international growth,” it said.

Atletico, second in the standings, visits La Liga rival Alaves on Saturday.

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) passes around Milwaukee Bucks forward Ousmane Dieng (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gives an interview during the NBA basketball team's media day Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pauses while giving an interview during the NBA basketball team's media day Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander warms up before an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, against the Milwaukee Bucks in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Oklahoma City Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander listens while giving an interview during the NBA basketball team's media day Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

MIAMI (AP) — Hurricane Simon was headed toward part of Mexico’s Pacific coast Friday and forecast to get much stronger.

U.S. forecasters issued a hurricane warning for parts of the central and southwest coast, where hurricane-force winds were expected within 36 hours.

Simon had maximum sustained winds of 150 kph (90 mph) early Friday and was moving northwest at 7 kph (5 mph), the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said.

The Category 1 hurricane was forecast to turn to the north by early Saturday and approach the coast. Simon was expected to intensify rapidly and become a Category 4 storm before landfall. Category 4 hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson scale have maximum sustained winds of 210-250 kph (130-156 mph).

Simon was centered about 345 kilometers (215 miles) south of Manzanillo and 515 kilometers (320 miles) south-southeast of Cabo Corrientes.

Tropical storm conditions were possible along the coast later Friday.

Simon was expected to produce torrential rainfall that could cause flooding and mudslides. U.S. forecasters said 20 to 38 centimeters (8 to 15 inches) of rain could fall in southwestern Mexico, with isolated areas getting up to 63 centimeters (25 inches).

Farther north, Tropical Storm Rachel was expected to reach Baja California, northwestern Mexico and Southern California this weekend. It had 95 kph (60 mph) winds and was forecast to weaken, though it may bring heavy rain to the area.

Tropical storm activity has been above average this season in the Pacific, due to the effects of a strong El Niño.

The climate phenomenon typically depresses storm activity in the Atlantic. Hurricane Isaias, which was expected to hit the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or Saturday, developed more than four months into the Atlantic hurricane season.

This satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA shows Hurrican Simon in the Pacific on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration via AP)