Shai Gilgeous-Alexander becomes part-owner of Hamilton’s TD Coliseum

Oklahoma City Thunder star and Hamilton native Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, has invested in Oak View Group’s TD Coliseum.

The investment includes community-driven programming and capital toward attracting major sports and concert events.

“Becoming part of the ownership group at TD Coliseum is really personal for me. Growing up in Hamilton shaped who I am, so having the opportunity to help build something special in my hometown means everything,” says Gilgeous-Alexander in a statement.

His partnership with the venue also includes naming its atrium after his son Ares, and plans to give back through his charitable organization, The SGA Foundation.

“Hamiltonians carry a different sense of spirit, determination, pride and energy from the rest of the province and honestly, I can’t shy away from that and carry it with me everywhere I go,” said Gilgeous-Alexander about the city during his speech at SGA day last year.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horwath. “This is Shai’s city, he’s a homegrown athlete.”

Horwath sees this announcement as a magnet to attract other investment in the city: people will be willing to invest and visit more in Hamilton, because they are fans of the homegrown NBA star.

“It speaks volumes to the commitment to our city,” said Horwath. “It also sends out a signal to others who also might be interested in investing.”

“The power dynamics of who’s got the juice charity-wise has shifted,” said Taylor McKee, an assistant professor of sports management at Brock University.

McKee says athletes are wealthy people, and that this investment deal shows the power dynamic between different professional sports, namely the NHL and the NBA.

“Connor McDavid, bless his heart, he’s worth a lot of money,” said McKee. “He’s the most famous Canadian hockey player — he can’t come close to Shai’s disposable income.”

Terms of the investment weren’t disclosed Monday, but it looks like Gilgeous-Alexander is here to stay.

Oak View Group led the arena’s 2025 redevelopment, and the newly renovated, 18,000 seat venue reopened in November with a Paul McCartney concert.

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