Milwaukee Bucks Owner Victim of Alleged $1 Billion Blackmail Scheme After Brief Love Affair: Report

Wesley Edens
Credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• The billionaire owner of the Milwaukee Bucks was reportedly the target of a blackmail scheme
• Changli "Sophia" Luo allegedly threatened to publicize videos of her sexual encounter with Wesley Edens
• Luo was charged with four counts, including blackmail, and is set to face trial later this year

The billionaire owner of the Milwaukee Bucks was the target of an alleged blackmail scheme to steal half of his fortune, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

Changli “Sophia” Luo was charged with four counts, including blackmail and destruction of records, in the alleged extortion scheme involving Wesley Edens, who is also the majority owner of the Aston Villa soccer club and co-founder of Fortress Investment Group, according to a story published in the WSJ on Sunday, May 10.

Luo, 46, allegedly threatened to publicize videos and photos of him having sex with her, and threatened the NBA owner for months, even contacting the 64-year-old Edens’ family members, the outlet reported.

A representative with the Milwaukee Bucks did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for a comment.

“Mr. Edens will be making no comment on the case as the indictment speaks for itself with respect to the charges against the defendant,” his spokesman told the WSJ. “Mr. Edens expects to testify under oath at the upcoming trial.”

Edens and Luo’s first contact came when he responded to a message she sent on LinkedIn in 2022.