American celebrities and NFL legends are becoming the owners of English football teams. What began as a curiosity when Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchased Wrexham in 2021 has become a full-scale transatlantic takeover. As of November 2025, over half of England’s top 92 clubs have American ownership, with high-profile celebrities increasingly becoming involved.
From seven-time Super Bowl champions to Oscar-nominated actors and hip-hop icons, here’s a look at which NFL players and celebrities have invested in English football teams.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (Wrexham AFC)
The duo that started it all. Reynolds and McElhenney purchased the struggling Welsh club for £2 million in 2021, and their investment has become the blueprint for celebrity football ownership. Four years later, Wrexham is worth £100 million and has achieved an unprecedented three consecutive promotions, a feat no English football club had ever accomplished until April 2025.
How it’s turned out: An extraordinary success story by any measure. The club’s value has increased 5,000% in four years, while revenue exploded from £1.5 million to £26.7 million. Their FX/Disney+ documentary “Welcome to Wrexham” has won eight Emmy Awards and created a global entertainment phenomenon. The club now competes in the Championship (England’s second-tier league), with global sponsors such as TikTok, United Airlines, and Aviation Gin eager to associate with the feel-good story.
Both have purchased homes in Wrexham, attend most matches, deliver pre-game speeches to players, and engage directly with fans in local pubs.
“I’ve only been the owner of a football club for a very short time,” Reynolds admitted in 2021. “So far I’ve found it to be very time-consuming, emotionally exhausting, financially idiotic and utterly addictive.”
Tom Brady (Birmingham City)
The seven-time Super Bowl champion took a different approach when he purchased a 3.3% minority stake in Birmingham City in August 2023. Serving as Advisory Board chairman, Brady introduced his famous TB12 wellness philosophy to England’s third-tier league, with his personal “body coach,” Alex Guerrero, now advising on player nutrition, hydration protocols, and recovery systems.
How it’s turned out: Mixed results that ultimately ended in triumph. Birmingham suffered relegation to League One in Brady’s first season, an experience humblingly documented in his Amazon series, “Built in Birmingham.” However, the club responded by winning the League One title with a record-breaking 111 points, finishing 19 points ahead of second-place Wrexham.
Brady attended the “Hollywood Derby” against Reynolds’ Wrexham, featuring David Beckham, in September 2024.
“I know a few things about winning, and I think they may translate pretty well,” Brady said upon joining. “I know success starts with the work put in when the world isn’t watching.”
JJ Watt and Kealia Watt (Burnley FC)
The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and his wife, former U.S. women’s national team player Kealia Watt, joined Burnley’s ownership group in May 2023. Inspired by Reynolds and McElhenney’s community-first approach, the Watts have been hands-on.
How it’s turned out: Immediate success. Burnley secured promotion back to the Premier League in April 2025 with a historic defensive record, conceding just 16 goals in 46 Championship matches. The Watts’ investment has paid dividends both on and off the pitch, with JJ regularly attending matches at Turf Moor, visiting local establishments, and using his platform to tell “Burnley’s story to America and beyond.” Kealia’s focus on developing the club’s women’s team has also strengthened the club’s community ties.
“I’ve spoken to Rob about his experience and I’ve tried to gain some insight into what he’s done,” Watt explained about learning from the Wrexham model.
Malcolm Jenkins (Burnley FC)
The two-time Super Bowl champion preceded the Watts at Burnley, investing in October 2021 through his Malcolm Inc. holding company. Jenkins became the first active NFL player to invest in a Premier League club, explicitly framing his investment as creating “wealth opportunities for minority athletes.”
How it’s turned out: Successful both financially and symbolically. Jenkins’ stake has benefited from Burnley’s promotion to the Premier League in 2025, and his pioneering investment has achieved his broader goal of inspiring other athletes. “So many other athletes have followed suit. The future is bright as private equity opens the door for more pro athletes to become minority investors,” Jenkins noted, proud that his example has opened doors for a new generation of athlete-investors.
“One of my purposes in doing this investment is I want athletes to see that we don’t have to just be athletes and laborers,” Jenkins explained. “We can actually be in the ownership seat.”
Snoop Dogg – Swansea City
The 53-year-old rapper and cultural icon became co-owner of Swansea City in July 2025, joining a U.S.-based consortium that acquired the Championship club for £20 million. Serving as a global brand ambassador, Snoop immediately leveraged his 155 million social media followers to promote the club.
How it’s turned out: Too early to judge sporting outcomes, as Snoop only joined in July 2025. However, his immediate impact on global brand awareness has been significant, with the announcement generating massive social media engagement and a playful rivalry with Reynolds’ Wrexham.
“This is a proud, working class city and club. An underdog that bites back, just like me,” Snoop declared in a promotional video. “I’m not a player, I’m a owner.” The announcement sparked a playful social media rivalry between Reynolds’ Wrexham and Swansea, with the latter responding to a Reynolds tweet with “Dogg included.”
Mindy Kaling (Swansea City)
The actress and producer, famous for “The Office” and “The Mindy Project,” has owned a 1% stake in Swansea since 2016. She invested approximately £750,000 as part of the previous American ownership consortium.
How it’s turned out: While specific returns aren’t publicly documented, Kaling has maintained her investment for nine years, suggesting satisfaction with both the financial and emotional returns. Her early investment predated the current celebrity ownership boom.
“I believe in this team, and I think it’s a smart choice,” Kaling said, adding she was “inspired by Oprah—she invests in things she believes in.” With Snoop Dogg’s arrival in 2025, Swansea now boasts one of the most eclectic celebrity ownership groups in the English football league.
Michael B. Jordan (AFC Bournemouth)
The Oscar-nominated actor known for “Black Panther” and “Creed” became a minority shareholder in Premier League club AFC Bournemouth in December 2022. Jordan works on global marketing and internationalisation efforts, even designing a special edition kit for the 2024-25 campaign.
How it’s turned out: Stable and prosperous. Under the ownership group led by billionaire Bill Foley, who also owns the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, Bournemouth has established itself as a consistent Premier League club with growing international appeal. Jordan’s involvement in marketing and kit design has helped expand the club’s global reach, particularly in American markets.
Will Ferrell (Leeds United)
The comedy legend took a minority stake in Leeds United in May 2024 through the club’s 49ers Enterprises ownership group. Ferrell, who starred in soccer comedy “Kicking & Screaming” and co-owns MLS club LAFC, brings both entertainment credibility and genuine football passion to the role.
How it’s turned out: Still early days, as Ferrell only joined in May 2024. Leeds United, one of England’s most historic clubs, competes in the Championship and benefits from the deep pockets and sports expertise of 49ers Enterprises (owned by the San Francisco 49ers’ York family). With American ownership and celebrity backing, Leeds aims to return to the Premier League.
“Americans are very heavy into their sports, but there’s still a level of devotion to English football that is unlike anywhere in the world,” Ferrell told reporters. “I think we find that exciting and admire it.”
Myles Jack (Leeds United)
The former NFL linebacker, who played primarily for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers, is a minority investor in Leeds United through the 49ers Enterprises ownership group. Jack was selected by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and played eight seasons in the league before retiring in August 2023.
How it’s turned out: Jack’s investment came as part of the broader 49ers Enterprises takeover of Leeds in July 2023, alongside other prominent athletes, including NBA players Larry Nance Jr. and TJ McConnell, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, and golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Since retiring from the NFL, Jack has focused on business ventures, including becoming the first African-American majority owner in ECHL history when he purchased the Allen Americans hockey team with his mother in October 2023.
LeBron James (Liverpool FC)
The basketball superstar was the original American celebrity investor in football, purchasing a 2% stake in Liverpool for £4.7 million in April 2011. That stake, now part of his broader Fenway Sports Group partnership, has grown to over £44 million as Liverpool’s value reached £4.3 billion.
How it’s turned out: A masterclass in sports investment. James’ stake has grown nearly tenfold in value. While he maintains a relatively passive role compared to more recent celebrity owners, his commercial presence helps the club’s American marketing efforts. Liverpool has won the Premier League, Champions League, and multiple other trophies during its ownership tenure, making this one of the most successful celebrity sports investments in history.