celebrities who own sports teams

Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney: Wrexham AFC

Reynolds and McElhenney to buy English National League teams in 2020 to quell the curiosity of many fans who wanted why The two stars embarked on such a venture and released a documentary documenting the entire process.

Wrexham were bottom of the National League at the time of purchase, but a second-place finish the following year and a run to the FA Trophy final may have given them confidence. Esquire.

LeBron James: Boston Red Sox

While the terms of the deal were kept secret, NBA superstar LeBron James and his business partner Maverick Carter have become partners of Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and will acquire a minority stake in the Boston Red Sox in March 2021. took ownership.

However, this was not his first foray into sports ownership with FSG. The four-time NBA champion bought his 2% stake in soccer team Liverpool FC in 2011.

David Beckham: Inter Miami CF & Salford City

Shortly after retiring in 2013, football legend David Beckham entered into talks to become co-owner of the MLS team to launch in Miami. After a long and difficult process over several years, Inter his Miami CF debuted Beckham as a minority shareholder in his 2020 season.

But things changed in 2021 when Beckham, along with brothers Jorge and Jose Mas, acquired former co-owners Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son, making him a majority stakeholder in the team.

But his soccer team ownership is not exclusive to the United States. In 2019, the former Manchester United midfielder also acquired a 10% stake in UK-based Salford City FC.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Campobasso 1919 and Ascoli FC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos have announced that they are investing in two Italian football teams, Campobasso 1919 and Ascoli FC, in November 2022. Acquire co-ownership with Campobasso to help restore success in the Italian football league.

Consuelos told PEOPLE that the team’s “underdog” status was one of the reasons the couple wanted to join. Kelly and I wanted to get involved and be part of the solution.

Tom Brady: An unnamed pickleball team

Tom Brady has many achievements. A seven-time Super Bowl champion, a great businessman, father of three children, and as of October 2022, he’s co-owner of his team Pickleball.

That’s right, the Buccaneers quarterback has signed “to become part of the owned group of the expansion team that will begin playing in the 2023 MLP season,” reports Front Office Sports. The list also includes Kim Clijsters, a six-time Grand Slam tennis winner.

“Look, I’ve been trying to figure out how to extend my professional sports career into my 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s! As much as I can? And I think I’ve found the answer,” he said. He joked in an Instagram video making the announcement. “Looks like everyone else has an answer: pickleballs!”

Michael B. Jordan: AFC Bournemouth

He may know how to do it in the boxing arena, but in real life, Creed The actor is a minority shareholder in English football team AFC Bournemouth. Percentages and amounts were not disclosed, but according to ESPN, the Premier League will have American businessman Bill Foley lead the deal as majority leader, while Jordan will lead a minority group to build the team. announced that it had been acquired.

Alex Rodriguez: Minnesota Timberwolves

In 2021, Rodriguez will join the NBA as co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and their WNBA counterpart, the Minnesota Lynx.

The deal first came in the spring of 2021 when Rodriguez and entrepreneur Mark Roar agreed to acquire former owner Glenn Taylor for a whopping $1.5 billion. According to NBA.com, Rodriguez and Lore will begin the process by initially transferring a 20% stake in him in 2021, then buying a further 20% in 2022 and a further 40% in 2023. You have the option to buy and hold a majority.

Marc Anthony: Miami Dolphins

Marc Anthony has been in the ownership business for over a decade since the “Vivir Mi Vida” singer acquired a minority stake in the Miami Dolphins in 2009.

“I’m a huge sports fan,” the salsa champ told PEOPLE at the time. It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to do that.”

Other celebrity minority owners include Fergie, Gloria, Emilio Estefan, Venus and Serena Williams.

Michael Jordan: Charlotte Hornets

Michael Jordan’s dedication to basketball is world-renowned. So it’s no surprise that NBA legends own their own teams. His six-time NBA champion bought the Charlotte Hornets (then Bobcats) in 2010 for $275 million.

According to ESPN, Jordan had been a minority shareholder since 2006, but the acquisition gave him a majority stake and earned him the title of becoming the league’s first former player.

Usher: Cleveland Cavaliers

When the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship in 2016, many people wanted to know why they were so excited, especially since he’s famously from Atlanta. However, his eight-time Grammy Award winner turned out to be a minority owner of the Cavaliers.

According to Forbes, Usher donated $9 million to the Cavaliers in 2005. This was around the same time that famous owner Dan Gilbert bought the franchise.

Nelly

Another musician who got into the sports team ownership business early was Nellie (real name Cornell Haynes Jr.). The “Hot in Here” rapper signed a deal to become a minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats (now the Hornets) in 2004. Financial terms of the deal and stakes were not disclosed.

“Of all the many dreams I’ve had in my life, owning the NBA is definitely one of the biggest accomplishments,” Nellie said at the time. “To be part of the first-ever minority-owned professional sports franchise with Bob Johnson to make this move is an incredible opportunity.”

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith: Philadelphia 76-ers

Philadelphia native Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, tried to become minority owners of their hometown NBA team, the 76ers, in 2011.

“In all entertainment, there’s nothing like walking into a building when it’s announced that you’re the co-owner of your local basketball team,” Smith said during the appearance. jimmy kimmel live 2016.Yes Yes, intent! ”

Justin Timberlake: Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis-born “Sexy Buck” singer became a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012. At the time, tech entrepreneur Robert Pera was in talks to buy the team from long-term owner Michael Haisley. ESPN reports that Timberlake will be joining as part of Pera’s Minority Partners team.

according to memphis flyerthe singer plowed $5 million through his investment group, Tennman Sports, LLC, giving him a 2.84% stake in the team.

Bill Murray: Hudson Valley Renegades, Charleston Riverdogs, Brockton Rocks

Hollywood icon Bill Murray loves minor league baseball. He owns three teams: the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Charleston Riverdogs and the Brockton Rocks. And while there are few details of his ownership on each team, Ghost Busters Legend is passionate about being RiverDogs’ “Director of Fun”.

Magic Johnson: LA Dodgers and LA Sparks

He may have quit basketball in 1996, but Magic Johnson’s notable sports career didn’t end on the court.

In 2012, MLB and former L.A. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt clashed over how the latter was treating the team, and the Dodgers were put up for sale. It bought the team for $2.5 billion, reports The Sports Rush.

Two years later, when the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks were in trouble, Johnson again led a group of investors to argue for stakes in the team, ensuring that not only would they stay in the league, but it would continue to be Los Angeles’ home team. made it possible.

Michelle Williams: Chicago Sky

When the WNBA launched its 14th team, Chicago Sky, in 2006, it also announced Michelle Williams as the minority owner of the franchise. The move, which hails from Rockford, Illinois, makes sense for the former Destiny’s Child singer.

Williams said at the time, “I’m thrilled to be investing in the WNBA as it expands to my hometown with Chicago Sky.” It’s been great to be a part of such an organization and I look forward to being front row and cheering for the Chicago Sky games as they continue for many championship seasons.”

Giannis Antetokompo: Milwaukee Brewers

The power forward, who just led the Milwaukee Bucks to NBA championship glory, has purchased an undisclosed stake in MLB team Milwaukee Brewers.

“For a kid from Sepolia, Athens, Greece, born to immigrant parents, this is a dream come true,” Antetokounmpo said at a press conference.

And there is no better place to invest than a country that gives him so much. “I love Milwaukee,” said Antetokounmpo. “They found diamonds in the rough, in the dust. They believed in me, they trusted me, they accepted me. The city loved me and my family. Now I want to return that love.”