Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has become the second active NFL player to own a share of an NBA team when he purchased a minority stake in the Phoenix Suns.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers owns a stake in the Milwaukee Bucks.
Fitzgerald ranks second all time in NFL receiving yards and has been voted an All-Pro in 11 of his 16 seasons in the league. He is considered the greatest player in Cardinals history, breaking every major receiving record for the franchise.
Fitzgerald has built a strong relationship with Suns managing partner Robert Sarver over the years and has already taken on a significant role with the Suns as an ambassador, from sitting in on potential front-office candidate interviews to canvassing for Suns public arena vote.
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He has said he won’t take on an active role with the Suns until he retires from pro football.
“I have a special place in my heart for the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, and I have a great deal of respect of Robert,” Fitzgerald said. “He has become a dear friend and trusted confidante. He is a big part of why I am making this commitment.”
Fitzgerald is a major philanthropic figure and as been engaged in many charitable foundations in the Phoenix area.
He was honored as the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2016.
