The famous actor and fan of the club has joined Paris Basketball's ownership team
Paris energy drew actor Omar Sy to become co-owner
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4 Mins read
Paris Basketball has skyrocketed into the European basketball elite over the past three years and its unique playing style has caught the eye of fans all across Europe and beyond. One of its most famous fans has now joined the club’s ownership team.
Paris has announced that French movie star Omar Sy, an award-winning actor and courtside regular at Paris games, has joined David Kahn and Eric Schwartz as co-owners of the club.
"I’m a huge basketball fan, and I attended my first Paris Basketball game during the EuroLeague match against Baskonia last November," Sy said in a statement.
The actor is authentically connected to the team, himself being from the Trappes commune in the ‘Grand Paris’ region.
"I was struck by the energy of the project: in the stands, it’s a club that brings together all the diversity of Greater Paris – something that's incredibly valuable."
Sy, who is known for starring in movies such as Untouchable, Jurassic World, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and the series Lupin, is one of France’s most popular personalities with nearly 6.5 million followers on X and Instagram platforms combined.
His addition to the Paris organization is far more than just a change in club ownership. It is also a display of the impact the basketball club has made in the French capital and the result of the vision Paris Basketball was built on.
"On the court, the team radiates intensity and character, which fuel its sporting ambitions. Off the court, especially on social media, the club’s identity and image are vibrant. I’m truly excited to contribute to the growth of Paris Basketball", added Sy who will also serve as a Cultural Advisor, helping the club’s development and branding.
It’s no novelty to see celebrities join ownership structures of sports clubs. Arguably the most famous example has been Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney acquiring Wrexham FC in 2021 and helping it make history with an unprecedented three straight promotions, all the way to the second tier of English football.
The quick rise of Paris Basketball is very relatable to the one of Wrexham. Founded in 2018 by Kahn, the club started with the goal of bringing elite basketball to the City of Light. Paris started in the French second division and was promoted to the French top flight at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
Paris was invited to play in the EuroCup for the first time in the 2022-23 season, won the competition in 2024 and reached the EuroLeague Playoffs this past season, its first in Europe's premier competition. Meanwhile, in domestic play, Paris won the 2024 League Cup, the 2025 French Cup, and is currently two wins from reaching its second consecutive French League Final. Not bad for a seven-year-old club.
Equally important is that while achieving success on the floor led by star guard TJ Shorts, the club has done a great job of developing a fan base that keeps filling arenas where the team plays, becoming just what the basketball scene in the French capital needed.
"Since 2018, we’ve always wanted to add a co-owner from Paris – a person who reaches across all divides and is synonymous with the vibe of Grand Paris. We have finally found that person in Omar Sy," Schwartz said. "Omar is a storyteller filled with ideas and enthusiasm to further build the Paris Basketball club and brand."