Jozy Altidore Joins Russell Westbrook in OKC for Soccer Ownership Group

Two-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Jozy Altidore has partnered with Russell Westbrook and Echo Investment Capital to bring professional soccer back to Oklahoma City.

Jozy Altidore, a two-time U.S. Soccer Player of the Year, officially joined the OKC for Soccer ownership group on Thursday, partnering with NBA standout Russell Westbrook. This investment collective has secured the rights to a USL Championship franchise that previously competed under the OKC Energy brand. The organization is currently executing a strategic timeline to field a professional team in coordination with the completion of a brand-new stadium scheduled to open in downtown Oklahoma City in 2028.

Altidore brings a resume featuring two World Cup appearances and extensive experience in top-tier global leagues, including the English Premier League and Spain’s LaLiga. The former United States forward enters the venture alongside his business partner, Alex Lee, and a primary ownership tier consisting of the Chickasaw Nation and Echo Investment Capital. This move integrates high-profile athletic experience with established local institutional backing to revitalize the professional soccer landscape in the region.

Strategic Vision for the 2028 Stadium Launch

The central pillar of the OKC for Soccer project is the development of a world-class environment for the sport at every competitive level. By securing the rights to the former OKC Energy franchise, the group ensures a pathway back to the USL Championship, the second tier of the American soccer pyramid. The planned downtown stadium serves as the physical anchor for this ambition, providing a permanent home for the club within the city's urban core.

Christian Kanady, the founding partner and CEO of Echo, emphasized that the addition of Jozy Altidore provides the organization with manufactured credibility that only a veteran professional can offer. Kanady noted that Altidore’s background allows for a deep understanding of talent development and the ability to inspire athletes from the locker room to the boardroom. This leadership is expected to influence the club’s trajectory long before the first whistle blows in the new facility.

Altidore’s Commitment to Community Pathways

In an official statement, Altidore highlighted the rarity of finding a club whose pathway is so deeply rooted in the local community from its inception. He noted that the project aligns with his personal ambition to establish elite soccer standards in Oklahoma City. The involvement of the Chickasaw Nation further solidifies the group’s connection to the regional identity, ensuring that the franchise operates with significant local support and resources.

Altidore's transition into ownership follows a career defined by international success and high-level club play across Europe and North America. His partnership with Alex Lee within this group adds another layer of sports-business expertise to the Echo-led initiative. The group remains focused on the 2028 operational target, utilizing the intervening years to build the infrastructure necessary for a sustainable USL Championship presence.

Impact on the Oklahoma City Sports Landscape

The inclusion of Russell Westbrook and Jozy Altidore places the OKC for Soccer group at the intersection of basketball and global football culture. While Westbrook provides a legendary link to the city’s sporting history, Altidore offers the technical and professional insights gained from years of competition in the world's most prestigious leagues. This combination of owners aims to create a professional environment that mirrors the standards Altidore encountered during his tenure in LaLiga and the Premier League.

By focusing on a downtown stadium location, the ownership group is positioning the team as a central element of Oklahoma City’s future growth. The project is designed to be more than just a professional team; it is intended to be a comprehensive soccer ecosystem. With the backing of Echo Investment Capital and the Chickasaw Nation, the financial and operational foundation is set to support the long-term goal of a 2028 debut in the USL Championship.