On Thursday, Cade Cunningham, a 24-year-old NBA player for the Detroit Pistons and native of Arlington, Texas, acquired a minority stake in the Texas Rangers baseball team. This move connects Cunningham to his hometown’s Major League Baseball franchise, expanding his presence in professional sports ownership.
Cunningham’s Athletic and Local Journey
Cunningham’s path to professional basketball prominence began locally at Arlington Bowie High School before he transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida. After a standout single season at Oklahoma State University, he was selected first overall by the Pistons in the 2021 NBA Draft. Since then, he has developed into an All-Star guard, living up to expectations with impressive scoring and assisting statistics.
Performance Highlights and Team Standing
Last season, Cunningham averaged 26.1 points per game along with 9.1 assists, securing seventh place in MVP voting. This season, he maintains strong performance levels, averaging 25.3 points and 9.6 assists while helping the Pistons hold a 40-13 lead in the NBA standings.
Context of Athlete Ownership in Other Sports
Cunningham’s investment in the Rangers is part of a growing trend of athletes purchasing stakes in teams outside their own sport. Similar to Cunningham, NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes became part-owner of the Kansas City Royals in 2020, demonstrating cross-sport investment interest among top athletes.
Majority Ownership and Future Outlook
The Texas Rangers remain primarily owned by Ray Davis, with Cunningham now among the minority stakeholders. This new role connects Cunningham more deeply to his community and may signal an interest in expanding his off-court influence. As Cunningham continues to make waves in the NBA, his involvement with the Rangers adds a unique dimension to his growing sports career.
“Detroit Pistons All-Star and Arlington, Texas native Cade Cunningham has purchased a minority ownership stake of his hometown MLB team, the Texas Rangers, he told ESPN.” — Shams Charania, Sports Reporter
Detroit Pistons All-Star and Arlington, Texas native Cade Cunningham has purchased a minority ownership stake of his hometown MLB team, the Texas Rangers, he told ESPN.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 12, 2026
