The deal also includes a partnership with Thirty Five Ventures, the business and philanthropic entity run by Durant and sports business executive Rich Kleiman. That aspect of the deal will focus on growing the team’s brand worldwide, working closely with the Union on marketing opportunities and expanding the organization’s community outreach in conjunction with the Kevin Durant Charity Foundation (KDCF). “I’ve been a fan of the sport, and then seeing how fast the popularity of the league was growing, seeing more fans pop up in different cities around the country, and then seeing how these franchises impact the city’s businesses and people individually was very intriguing,” Durant told ESPN in an exclusive interview.