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The Hollywood Celebrities Who Own Soccer Teams

Will Brown by Will Brown, April 03, 2025

Hollywood celebrities own soccer teams

Sports and entertainment have always been intertwined, with the spectacle of both drawing millions of fans and making their stars untold riches. However, in recent years, the number of celebrities who own soccer teams has skyrocketed, with both Hollywood and sporting stars investing heavily in domestic and international leagues. In this article, we’ve looked at the biggest names in soccer club ownership, offering insights into the finances, deals, controversies, and more surrounding the investments.

Who Are the Celebrity Soccer Team Owners?

There are several reasons why famous musicians, athletes, and actors who own soccer teams are drawn to investing in the clubs. To kick off this guide, we’ve explored the different reasons why the celebrities on this list were drawn to their decisions.

We’ve then launched straight into the biggest celebrity soccer club owners, starting with the high-profile acquisition of Wrexham FC by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. Other celebrity owners that we’ve covered include Tom Brady, Natalie Portman, David Beckham, and LeBron James.

Why Celebrities and Actors Who Own Soccer Teams Invest

What motivates celebrity investment in soccer clubs varies from person to person. In many cases, owning a stake in high-profile teams is a worthy investment, with Premier League clubs in particular known to be some of the most profitable sports franchises in the world. They are often a safe investment, with many teams benefiting from undying fan loyalty that translates to reliable ticket and merchandising sales.

Of course, it’s not always about the money. Some celebrity soccer team owners hold lifelong connections to the sports or the teams and speak of childhood dreams of owning them. By investing in the clubs, they get to become a part of their legacies while using their resources and clout to steer them toward success.

At times, these investments may simply be vanity projects that give the celebrities bragging rights and access to lucrative stadium boxes and events. Conversely, some celebrity owners see the investments as a way to give something back to hard-hit communities. The latter was one of the reasons that motivated our first highlighted actors.

Wrexham AFC: Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover of the Welsh club Wrexham AFC in 2020 is undoubtedly the most high-profile example of the celebrities who own soccer teams. The Hollywood actors purchased the club for $2.5 million, which had spent 13 years languishing in the fifth-team National League.

After investing a reported $12 million into the club, Wrexham secured two consecutive promotions, bringing them to League One for the first time since 2005. Their investment has seen renovations of the club stadium and facilities, as well as the fortunes and spirits of the surrounding community boosted.

The exploits of the owners have been covered in the hit Disney+ documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham”, which has also brought international fame and attention to the unfolding underdog narrative. The stars are heavily involved with Wrexham’s revitalization and are frequently seen at matches. Despite initial skepticism, the community has embraced the actors’ ownership.

Birmingham FC: Tom Brady

In 2023, legendary former NFL quarterback Tom Brady surprised the sports world after acquiring a minority stake in Birmingham City FC. The investment came after the American Knighthead Capital Management took the team over, with Brady’s stake reported to be around 3%. He also took a role on the team’s advisory board.

Brady’s investment in Birmingham has brought considerable international attention to the team, with the 2024 season reporting surging ticket prices and a quadrupling of merchandise sales. Brady’s influence also undoubtedly helped to secure sponsorships from Delta Airlines, UNDEFEATED, and Nike. Although fans were initially wary about the NFL player’s involvement, they have since come to realize the positive influence of his star power.

Interestingly, the Tom Brady soccer investment in Birmingham City has created what is now called “The Hollywood Derby” in League One. This refers to the matches between the team and Wrexham AFC, with both teams tipped to be promotion rivals to the Championship League and perhaps one-day market options at EPL betting sites.

Angel City FC: Natalie Portman & Friends

The launch of Angel City FC is the result of one of the most innovative ownership models in this list of celebrities who own soccer teams. Fronted by acclaimed actress Natalie Portman, the ownership group of the US women’s soccer team also included Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Garner, Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, and Uzo Aduba.

The team was founded in 2020, joining the National Women’s Soccer League in 2022. The idea for the club was a product of Portman’s desire to address gender inequality in sports. The team implemented a pioneering 90/10 system, which saw 10 percent of sponsorship revenues from partners such as DoorDash and NYX Cosmetics redirected to local community programs.

The team is now the most popular in the league, with an average attendance of 19,000. In 2024, Disney CEO Bob Iger and Willow Bay bought a controlling stake in the team for $250 million, making it the most valuable women’s sports team in the world.

Inter Miami: David Beckham

Of all the celebrity soccer team owners on this list, none have the relevant experience quite like Inter Miami FC owner David Beckham. The former captain of the England national team began his relationship with the MLS in 2007 after being contracted to play for LA Galaxy.

As a part of the team, he was given an option to purchase an MLS expansion franchise for $25 million. After years of negotiation, he was granted a 10 percent stake in Inter Miami, which debuted in MLS in 2020. A further $150 million investment saw his ownership stake increase to an estimated 25 percent, making him the second largest shareholder after co-owner Jorge Mas.

Beckham’s involvement has been key to the team’s popularity, and undoubtedly helped them sign Lionel Messi in 2023. This inspired recruitment has seen demand for tickets surge 200 percent and merchandise sales soar 40 percent. In 2024, the team was valued at $1 billion, making it one of the most valuable in MLS.

Los Angeles FC: Will Ferrell & More

It may come as little surprise that many of the Hollywood actors who own soccer teams have invested in Los Angeles FC. The involvement of major stars such as comedian Will Ferrell dates back to 2014 when a group of investors acquired the expansion franchise rights. The team, which debuted in 2018, now has 23 owners.

Ferrell’s $3 million investment has granted him a 1 percent stake in the franchise. He is joined by other star owners such as Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm, YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley, and self-help speaker Tony Robbins. Now valued at over $1.25 billion, LA FC is the MLS’ most valuable.

Will Ferrell has used his celebrity to support the team’s growth, and he is regularly seen attending matches and interacting with fans. His success with the team was also likely to inspire his foray into the international soccer market, joining other famous soccer team owners such as Russell Crowe to purchase a minority stake in Championship team Leeds United in 2024.

AC Milan: LeBron James and Drake

In 2022, basketball legend LeBron James and musician Drake joined the exclusive list of celebrities who own soccer teams when they acquired a stake in Serie A team AC Milan. Their involvement was triggered after the team was acquired by US company RedBird Capital Partners for $1.25 billion.

Both stars are believed to have minority stakes valued at less than 1 percent. While some of the stars on the list invested due to personal connections, it’s apparent that the pair’s decision was motivated purely for business reasons. LeBron James has yet to visit a game, while Drake has only been spotted at a game once.

This triggered a mixed response from the team’s local supporters, who questioned why American personalities were getting involved in the team. However, it has appeared that the team’s association with the stars has helped to boost AC Milan’s recognition in the US, with James said to be instrumental in securing valuable sponsorship deals and a partnership with the New York Yankees.

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