Former Heat star buys ownership stake in NBA team April 16, 2021 at 4:31 PM EDT - Updated April 16 at 4:31 PM
Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade has become part-owner of an NBA franchise, but it s not the team where he spent 14-plus seasons.
The 13-time NBA All-Star has purchased an ownership stake in the Utah Jazz, becoming the latest high-profile former professional basketball great to make an investment in an NBA franchise, joining Grant Hill (Atlanta Hawks), former teammate Shaquille O Neal (Sacramento Kings) and Charlotte Hornets majority owner Michael Jordan.
While it s good news for fans of the Jazz, it likely leaves Heat fans wondering, why not Miami?
Deseret News
Share this story
Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News
Many people over the past few years have compared Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell to NBA legend Dwyane Wade, who won three championships and was named an All-Star 13 times.
Now, as first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday morning, the two will both be part of the Jazz organization, as Wade has purchased an ownership stake in the franchise from new owner Ryan Smith. Related
The Jazz announced the deal a short time later.
Wade, who played for the Miami Heat from 2003-19, told Wojnarowski on ESPN, “This goes way beyond the dream I had to just play basketball in the NBA. I’ve seen Shaq do it in Sacramento. I’ve seen Grant Hill do it in Atlanta. I’ve seen Jordan do it in Charlotte. If this partnership is going to be anything like my relationship is with Ryan, there are going to be a lot of things that I’ll want to be involved in.”