At the recent American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, basketball Hall of Famer Grant Hill took a moment on the fairway to talk about a different kind of competition he’s grown to love. He is slated to compete in the July 2024 edition, a tournament that awards $750,000 in prize money and has already donated more than $8 million to charitable causes.
A Family Affair
Hill’s rekindled enthusiasm for soccer traces back to his childhood in northern Virginia, where he chased a ball before a 12‑year‑old pivot to basketball. Today, his wife and he fell in love with the sport through their daughter, who will play at the University of Florida as a freshman, a development that has deepened his personal connection to the game.
Beyond family, Hill holds a stake in MLS’s Orlando City SC and the NWSL’s Orlando Pride, and he shares a business partnership with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who co‑owns the NWSL’s KC Current. The two athletes have watched Arrowhead Stadium, a venue with a storied soccer history, prepare to host World Cup matches.
Soccer’s Rising U.S. Spotlight
The upcoming World Cup is poised to accelerate soccer’s popularity across the United States, a trend Hill welcomes as both a competitor and an investor. He sees the tournament as a catalyst for broader cultural acceptance and youth participation, echoing the charitable spirit that has defined his own golf events for years.
From his early days on a Virginia pitch to his current role as a sports‑savvy entrepreneur, Grant Hill embodies the cross‑pollination of basketball and soccer that is reshaping American athletics. His excitement about the World Cup reflects a personal journey that bridges generations, interests, and the growing influence of sport on community and charity.