A coconut, a machete and the Golden Gate Bridge have proven catalysts to NBA basketballer Steven Adams investing in Auckland FC football club

The Houston Rockets' centre is the latest member of the ownership group, joining former All Whites trio Tim Brown, Noah Hickey and Winston Reid, past All Black Ali Williams and entrepreneur Anna Mowbray.

Adams is connected via All Birds shoe pioneer Brown - they bonded when the former fed the latter on a hike in San Francisco as two New Zealanders plying their trade on American shores.

Auckland FC's maiden A-League home match is in eight days.