In recent years, professional sports have attracted more than just top athletes and die-hard fans. They’ve also become a prime investment opportunity for celebrities.
From Hollywood stars to former sporting champions, these high-profile figures are using their wealth, influence, and passion to step into ownership roles. Alongside their financial investments, they bring with them global attention and new energy to the franchises they back.
For many celebrities, owning a sports team is more than just a vanity project. It’s a mix of personal passion, brand extension, and long-term investment.
For many, it’s a lifelong love of the game. Others see it as a smart business move, with team valuations rising across major leagues. In addition, sports ownership offers a new way to expand their personal brands and connect with global audiences.
Increasingly, stars are also using ownership to make a difference and combine purpose with profit, including developing women’s leagues, supporting local communities, or changing the fortunes of underserved clubs.
As the lines between entertainment, business, and sport continue to blur, more celebrities are stepping into ownership roles - not just as investors but as active contributors to the culture, growth, and direction of their teams. Let’s take a closer look at the most prominent names currently shaping the sports world through ownership.
Celebrities from film, TV, and music are increasingly stepping into the world of sports ownership, not just for brand expansion but to support hometown teams, elevate underrepresented leagues, and engage new fanbases through their platforms.
In 2020, the Deadpool actor and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star made headlines when they bought Wrexham, a historic but struggling soccer club in North Wales.
Their ownership journey - a mix of deep community investment, savvy marketing, and earnest storytelling - became the hit docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, transforming the club into a global underdog icon. The show has earned a spot among some of the best sports documentaries, praised for its humour and authenticity.
“We take the growing and building of both Wrexham AFC and Wrexham the community very seriously.” - Ryan Reynolds
Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman co-founded Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League team launched with an all-star group of mostly female investors.
Her goal: to change the model of sports ownership with a team focused on equity, purpose, and community-driven business. Angel City began play in 2022 and is already one of the league’s most talked-about clubs.
Philadelphia native Will Smith holds a minority stake in the NBA’s 76ers. While not heavily involved in day-to-day operations, his presence adds star power and hometown credibility to the team’s ownership group.
Global music superstar Ed Sheeran deepened his connection to his hometown soccer club, Ipswich Town, by becoming a minority stakeholder in 2024.
His involvement started with sponsorship (the team’s kits have featured mathematical symbols as a nod to his album titles) and evolved into a formal ownership role. Sheeran’s influence brings not only global attention but a heartfelt local touch.
These former and current athletes are leveraging their experience on the field to shape the future from the front office. With a deep understanding of team dynamics and a passion for competition, they’re building legacies beyond their playing days as owners, strategists, and visionary leaders.
James initially acquired a stake in Liverpool FC in 2011, drawn by his admiration for the club's legacy and global reach. In 2021, he expanded his influence by joining Fenway Sports Group as a full partner, giving him part-ownership of the Boston Red Sox, Roush Fenway Racing, and the NESN sports network.
“It’s a pretty amazing thing for me to continue to build my portfolio off the floor, also in a beautiful game like baseball.“ - LeBron James
This move into Fenway Sports Group further solidified his transition from elite athlete to business mogul, positioning him for even larger ownership ambitions in the future, including his widely stated desire to own an NBA franchise.
Beyond team ownership, James is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, earning not only through contracts but also through an expansive portfolio of endorsements and sponsorships. He has partnered with brands like Nike, PepsiCo, Beats by Dre, and DraftKings sportsbook, making weekly NFL picks as a brand ambassador.
In February 2014, MLS announced that David Beckham had exercised his option to purchase an expansion franchise for $25 million, a clause included in his 2007 contract with LA Galaxy. Beckham and his ownership group initially aimed to launch the Miami-based club by 2016 or 2017, but stadium delays pushed the timeline back.
“I wanted to create a team that we could start from scratch. I know this city is ready for football (soccer) this time around.“ - David Beckham
After several years of negotiations, the league officially approved the team in January 2018, and Inter Miami CF began play in 2020. Beckham remains actively involved in the team’s development, from branding to player recruitment.
In 2023, the club made global headlines by signing Lionel Messi, instantly raising its international profile and commercial value. His evolution from player to club owner reflects a growing trend of sporting entrepreneurs, where top athletes are building brands, businesses, and entire franchises beyond their playing careers.
NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has built one of the most diverse and impactful ownership portfolios in American sports. In 2012, he became part of the Guggenheim Baseball Management group that purchased the Los Angeles Dodgers, helping to lead the franchise to consistent postseason success and a World Series title in 2020.
He’s also a co-owner of the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), where he champions women’s basketball and diversity in sports leadership.
In MLS, Johnson was part of the original investor group behind Los Angeles FC, a club known for its dynamic branding and rapid fanbase growth since launching in 2018. More recently, in 2023, he joined the ownership group of the Washington Commanders (NFL) in one of the largest franchise sales in league history, bringing his business acumen and star power to the soccer world.
In 2024, he expanded his footprint in women’s sports by investing in the Washington Spirit (NWSL), signaling a growing commitment to supporting women’s leagues.
The former NFL star invested in Premier League club Burnley FC alongside his wife, NWSL player Kealia Watt, in 2023. They’ve become highly visible supporters of the team, attending matches, engaging with fans, and actively promoting the club’s culture both in the UK and the U.S.
Watt has spoken publicly about being drawn to the club’s history and values, and the couple’s involvement reflects a growing trend of transatlantic investment in English soccer. The Watts have also emphasised their interest in supporting the local community and long-term club development, not just financial return.
Former NFL Pro Bowler Ryan Kalil is not only known for his football career but also for co-founding the production company Mortal Media alongside Blake Griffin. The duo has worked on various entertainment projects, blending their passion for storytelling and sports.
In 2025, they made headlines once again by partnering to acquire Osos de Monterrey, formerly known as Fundidores de Monterrey, a top team in Mexico’s Liga de Fútbol Americano Profesional (LFA).
Their investment marks one of the first major moves by American athletes into Mexico’s professional football scene, highlighting the LFA’s growing visibility and long-term commercial potential. Griffin and Kalil aim to elevate the team’s profile both regionally and internationally, using their combined experience in athletics, media, and branding to create stronger cross-border fan engagement. Their venture could set the stage for more U.S. athlete-led ownership in Latin America’s expanding sports landscape.
Tennis icon Serena Williams is also a member of the founding investor group behind Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League team launched in 2020 with a mission rooted in equity, representation, and reinvestment in the community. Williams joined the ownership group composed primarily of influential women from entertainment, sports, and business.
In 2025, Williams expanded her portfolio by becoming a part-owner of Toronto Tempo, the first WNBA franchise in Canada, further solidifying her role as a powerful advocate for women's sports on a global scale. Her growing involvement reflects a broader push to build sustainable, women-led institutions in professional athletics, and she continues to use her platform to elevate visibility, funding, and opportunity across leagues.
Entrepreneurs and executives with a passion for sports are bringing strategic insight, capital, and leadership to clubs across multiple leagues. Whether focused on community building, global expansion, or elevating women’s sports, these figures are reshaping ownership with long-term vision and hands-on impact.
Michele Kang is a Korean-American business executive, healthcare technology entrepreneur, and one of the most powerful women in global sports ownership today. She is leading a groundbreaking shift in women’s soccer by establishing the first multi-club ownership model focused entirely on the women’s game.
After a high-profile and transformative leadership battle, she became the majority owner of the Washington Spirit in 2022, vowing to build a culture rooted in integrity, excellence, and investment in female athletes.
In 2023 and 2024, she expanded her footprint internationally by acquiring stakes in Olympique Lyonnais Féminin (France), one of the most decorated women's clubs in history, and London City Lionesses (UK), a second-tier English team with big ambitions. All three clubs now fall under her umbrella organisation, Kyniska Sports International, named after the first woman to win at the ancient Olympic Games.
Kang’s goal is to establish a new gold standard for women’s soccer, one that prioritises athlete well-being, professional standards, global collaboration, and long-term commercial success. Her model could redefine how elite women’s clubs are structured, funded, and connected worldwide.
Peter Guber is a veteran Hollywood executive and entrepreneur whose career spans decades in film production, media, and now, elite sports ownership. As chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment, he’s produced blockbuster films, but he’s also carved out a significant footprint in the sports world with a focus on innovation, fan experience, and cross-industry synergy.
Guber is a co-owner and executive chairman of the Golden State Warriors, playing a major role in the team’s transformation into one of the NBA’s most valuable and successful franchises. Under his co-ownership, the Warriors have won multiple NBA titles, moved into the cutting-edge Chase Center arena in San Francisco, and built a strong global brand.
He also holds ownership stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), Los Angeles FC (MLS), and the newly launched Golden State Valkyries (WNBA), reinforcing his commitment to growing sports across multiple leagues, including women’s basketball. Across all his ventures, Guber is known for applying Hollywood storytelling and digital media strategies to sports - helping teams win and engage audiences in powerful, lasting ways.
Dee Haslam is an American business executive, producer, and philanthropist who, alongside her husband Jimmy Haslam, co-owns the Cleveland Browns (NFL) and the Columbus Crew (MLS). As a co-owner and board member, she plays a prominent role not just in strategic decisions but in shaping the broader vision and values of both organisations.
Under the Haslams’ ownership, the Columbus Crew experienced a significant turnaround, winning the MLS Cup in 2020 and again in 2023 and securing a new stadium, Lower.com Field, which became a cornerstone for the team’s rebranding and resurgence. Dee has been deeply involved in expanding the club’s community initiatives, with a focus on youth development, fan accessibility, and civic engagement.
With the Cleveland Browns, Haslam has also been a vocal advocate for inclusive hiring, mental health awareness, and building long-term stability within the franchise. Her presence in the male-dominated world of NFL ownership has brought a thoughtful, socially conscious perspective to the forefront, and she remains one of the few women in the league with a controlling interest in a team.
While many celebrities hold symbolic or minority stakes in sports franchises, a select few have taken on significant or majority ownership roles, giving them real influence in decision-making, branding, and long-term strategy.
These high-stake celebrity owners aren’t just lending their names, they’re shaping the futures of their teams from the inside out. Among the most notable is Michele Kang, whose control of multiple women’s soccer clubs across three countries makes her one of the most influential figures in global women’s sport. Her majority ownership of the Washington Spirit, OL Féminin, and London City Lionesses gives her a unique ability to set the agenda for how elite women’s teams operate and collaborate internationally.
Other celebrity owners like David Beckham, Magic Johnson, and LeBron James hold substantial, if not always majority, stakes that allow them to influence everything from player recruitment to media rights and commercial partnerships.
Though not all celebrity owners have majority control, their influence often outweighs their equity, especially when they play key roles in marketing, recruitment, and brand expansion. Whether through deep financial investment or constant public engagement, these celebrities are more than figureheads.
Celebrity ownership goes beyond publicity; it brings real influence to clubs, leagues, and communities.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney turned Wrexham A.F.C. into a global brand, using media and storytelling to boost attendance, merchandise sales, and international interest. Similarly, David Beckham’s influence was instrumental in bringing Messi to Inter Miami, instantly transforming the club's profile and market value.
In women’s sports, figures like Serena Williams and Natalie Portman are reshaping ownership models, emphasising equity, transparency, and community reinvestment.
For many clubs, celebrity involvement has become a game-changer, attracting fans, sponsors, and media attention that can’t be bought through traditional marketing alone.
The rise of celebrity sports ownership shows no signs of slowing down. With global sports markets expanding and leagues becoming more commercially savvy, celebrities are now seen as strategic partners, not just marketing faces.
We’re also seeing growing interest in emerging markets, like Latin America, where Blake Griffin and Ryan Kalil’s investment in and rebranding of a Mexican football team may be the first of many from North American stars. Meanwhile, athletes and entertainers alike are looking to multi-club models and international franchises as long-term vehicles for building global sports brands.
Looking ahead, expect more crossovers - from YouTubers and influencers with global audiences to tech entrepreneurs eager to blend data, media, and fan engagement into the live sports experience. As team ownership becomes a more diverse, digital, and purpose-driven space, the definition of what makes a successful owner is changing.
Celebrity ownership is no longer a side story in the world of sports, it’s becoming a defining force. What began as novelty or passion projects has evolved into strategic, purpose-driven investments that are transforming how teams are built, marketed, and led.
From grassroots soccer clubs in small towns to global franchises with billion-dollar valuations, celebrities are bringing new energy, resources, and visibility to the sports world. They're not just investing money, but they're investing identity, influence, and intention.
As the lines between entertainment, business, and sport continue to blur, one thing is clear: the future of sports ownership will be shaped as much by cultural icons as by traditional investors.
