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Cade Cunningham reacts against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2026.
Cade Cunningham is adding a new title alongside NBA All-Star.
The Detroit Pistons star has purchased a minority stake in the Texas Rangers, officially becoming part of the ownership group for his hometown baseball franchise. The news was first reported by Shams Charania, though the exact size of Cunningham’s stake has not been disclosed.
Back to His Roots
For Cunningham, the move represents more than just a business investment. Born and raised in Arlington, he attended Bowie High School, where he played two years of basketball. Cunningham would then attend Oklahoma State before joining the Pistons in 2021, according to FOX 4 News.
Cunningham grew up rooting for Texas teams and has long maintained close ties to the area. He even threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Rangers game against the Baltimore Orioles on July 2, 2025.
The Rangers have called Arlington home since relocating from Washington in 1972, and Cunningham’s decision to invest in the franchise underscores his connection to the community.
The team is owned and operated by Rangers Baseball Express, with Ray C. Davis serving as chairman and majority owner. Cunningham now joins that ownership group as a minority partner, marking a significant milestone in his off-court career.
Cunningham Joins a Growing List of Athlete-Owners
The 24-year-old isn’t alone in crossing over from player to owner. Several active NBA stars have already paved the way.
LeBron James owns a stake in Fenway Sports Group, the company that controls the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo holds a minority share in the Milwaukee Brewers.
Patrick Mahomes is another example of a player investing in other sports teams. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback bought part of the Kansas City Royals.
“I’ve always been interested in business just from watching when my dad [former MLB pitcher Pat Mahomes] played sports and then watching other athletes like LeBron or Michael Jordan, Alex Rodriguez, these guys, is that as much as you have success in sports, business it’s kind of the same feel,” Mahomes said. “It’s competition.”
These investments highlight a broader trend: modern athletes are leveraging their earning power and brand value to gain footholds in major sports franchises.
On the Court, Cunningham Is Still Building His Legacy
While the ownership news made headlines, Cunningham remains focused on his primary job: leading Detroit.
Now in his fifth NBA season, Cunningham has earned his second straight All-Star selection and is spearheading one of the league’s most surprising turnarounds. The Pistons currently sit atop the Eastern Conference standings (40-13), and Cunningham is determined to guide the franchise back to the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
He signed a five-year max rookie extension in 2024 that, according to ESPN, “could become worth as much a $269 million.” As for his NBA MVP title chances later this year, Cunningham’s odds sit at +2200.
His growth as a playmaker and scorer has fueled Detroit’s resurgence. Currently, Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 9.6 assists and 5.6 rebounds this season.
Simply put, Cunningham is proving he can handle pressure on multiple fronts.
Alyssa Polczynski Alyssa Polczynski is a multimedia journalist covering Major League Baseball for Heavy.com. She has experience as an editorial producer for MLB.com and contributed to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). More about Alyssa Polczynski
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