Former UConn basketball star and NBA Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle is investing in professional sports in Connecticut.
Castle is among the latest group of investors in the Connecticut Sports Group, the company that’s planning to build a soccer stadium in Bridgeport.
CTSG is developing CT United FC, the men’s professional club that will play in the MLS NEXT Pro league in 2026, and also a future professional women’s team, slated to join WPSL Pro in 2028.
“Playing basketball at UConn showed me the incredible talent and passion for sports here in Connecticut,” said Castle, who now plays for the San Antonio Spurs. “My family and I are proud to invest in CTSG and help build elite clubs that inspire young athletes, energize fans, and create lasting pride across the state.”
He joins other newly announced investors including Calvin L. Butts Jr., co-founder and general partner of private equity firm East Chop Capital; Johan Bjurström, a Swedish private equity investor; Michael Salguero, founder and CEO of ButcherBox, a direct-to-consumer meat company; Shiva Sarram, executive director of Blossom Hill Foundation in Connecticut; and Drew Pearson, operating partner at Brighton Park Capital.
CTSG is led by André and Michelle Swanston who founded and developed Tru Optik, a data and identity company for streaming media advertising, which they sold to Transunion for $150 million.
CTSG has positioned the planned Bridgeport stadium complex as a live-work-play destination that would also include more than 1,000 housing units, create 1,300 permanent jobs, and generate $3.4 billion in statewide economic impact.
The group is seeking state funding for surrounding infrastructure for the project including roads, sewerage, and amenities like a riverwalk.
CTSG had lobbied for support during the last legislative session, but lawmakers requested an economic impact statement before committing to the funding.