BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Birmingham Legion FC announced on Tuesday NBA legend and Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame member Dominique Wilkins has joined the club’s ownership group as a new investor.

Currently the Vice President of Basketball for the Atlanta Hawks, Wilkins brings his passion for investing in communities through sports as a new owner of Birmingham’s longest-standing professional team. 

Wilkins’ investment underscores the growth of Legion FC since its arrival in the USL Championship in 2019 and the club’s recent spotlight on the national stage. Earlier this month, Legion FC advanced to the Quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and welcomed a club-record attendance of 18,418 fans as it hosted Inter Miami CF, showing the city of Birmingham as a major contender for games of national significance. News of Wilkins’ investment set to bring even more eyes to the Magic City as Birmingham continues to shine as a major sports destination, with the official announcement of Wilkins’ investment coming on ESPN’s First Take.

Wilkins developed deep ties with Birmingham through his work as Board Chairman of Birmingham-based KultureCity, a nonprofit advocating for acceptance of individuals with "invisible disabilities." The nonprofit works with an assortment of celebrities in addition to Wilkins, including musical acts Jason Isbell and Grouplove, actor Randall Park and comedian Ken Jeong. KultureCity currently has a sensory room at Legion’s matches in Protective Stadium and the Club is excited to grow that relationship by including the nonprofit on regular season jerseys to launch this July.

Legion FC’s commitment to honor Birmingham’s legacy resonated with Wilkins.

“Investing in this city is important to me,” wrote Wilkins. “Brave men, women, and children of Birmingham dared to challenge the status quo to demand justice, equality, and opportunity for all. I’m excited to be a part of Legion’s work to nurture communities and foster growth. Together, we can honor Birmingham’s past and create a legacy for future generations.”

“Legion FC exists to improve Birmingham through the game of soccer,” added Legion FC President Jay Heaps. “We are passionate about growing soccer in this community and being a source of pride for our city. It’s been amazing to see the crowds grow at our games - fans that have been here since day one and fans discovering Legion for the first time. We’re excited to continue that growth with Dominique helping discover new ways to create impact.”