From NBA Courts to LaLiga Shores: How Kerr, Nash and Pals Rescued Mallorca
A group of American sports stars – including NBA icons Steve Kerr and Steve Nash, tennis pro Andy Kohlberg, and ex-footballer Stu Holden – bought RCD Mallorca a decade ago and hauled them from the third tier to LaLiga regulars. As reported by Sid Lowe at ESPN Spain, their shared athletic mindset has weathered relegations, promotions and a Copa del Rey final heartbreak. Now stabilised in the top flight, they're eyeing more Balearic magic.
From NBA Courts to LaLiga Shores: How Kerr, Nash and Pals Rescued Mallorca
Picture this: a tennis ace, a basketball guru, an NBA legend and a Yank midfielder stroll into a Spanish island club. Sounds like the setup for a rubbish pub joke, right? But no, it's the real story behind RCD Mallorca's unlikely revival, as uncovered by Sid Lowe at ESPN Spain.
These Yanks – Andy Kohlberg, Steve Kerr, Steve Nash and Stu Holden – snapped up the Balearic outfit a decade ago for peanuts. Back then, Mallorca were floundering in Segunda División, staring down the barrel of relegation. Kohlberg, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist and ex-Phoenix Suns exec, saw a 'gem' in the sun-soaked paradise with a million locals and 16 million tourists yearly. Perfect for building something special.
A Winning Mindset Across Sports
What binds this motley crew? Sport's universal lingo. Kohlberg reckons top athletes – from John McEnroe to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo to Steph Curry – share that killer instinct. Kerr, the Golden State Warriors gaffer and nine-time NBA champ, calls joining the group a 'no-brainer'. Nash, two-time MVP with deep football roots (dad from Tottenham, bro capped 35 times for Canada), was all in. 'Goal was my first word,' he laughs.
Holden, the ex-US international with Prem stints at Bolton, got the call from Nash: ' Fancy owning a European side?' Instant yes. They bonded over Phoenix Suns days – Nash, Kerr, Kohlberg and once Robert Sarver (now Kohlberg's full control after buying him out). Nash could've been a pro No. 10, Holden jokes – 'Pirlo-lite with vision' – maybe even scraping into Burnley. These lads know ball, full stop.
Rollercoaster Ride to Respectability
Ten years on, it's been a wild journey. Two relegations, three promotions – down to the third tier, back up via gritty slogs. Remember those away days? Nash recalls chasing balls into swimming pools over fences at tiny grounds. 'Pfff, long way from Barcelona,' he quips.
Now in their fifth LaLiga season, they've posted 16th, 9th, 15th and 10th finishes. Pride peaked with a historic Copa del Rey final run in 2024 – gutting loss, but what a story. Steady now, eyeing growth. Kohlberg passed on pricey English Championship sides; Mallorca's island allure won out.
Kohlberg leads as president, with the gang back in Arizona – Camelback Mountain backdrop – reflecting on the ride. Kerr wasn't coaching (though Kohlberg cheekily muses it), just part-owning. From Suns courts to Son Moix, they've bridged basketball and football. Nash notes soccer's NBA boom: 'Everyone's got a team now.'
As Mallorca gear up for Real Madrid this weekend (stream on ESPN+), this cross-sport syndicate proves mentality trumps borders. Heartwarming, hilarious, and a right old underdog tale. Cheers to that – pass the sangria.