Celebrities Who Randomly Own Football Clubs
Football ownership is no longer just for oil tycoons and billionaires. Celebrities have joined the game too, sometimes in the most random ways possible.
Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney – Wrexham’s Hollywood Story
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s takeover of Wrexham AFC in 2020 is one of football’s most unlikely fairytales. Two Hollywood actors with no ties to Wales bought a struggling fifth-tier club and turned it into a global sensation.
Through investment, genuine connection with the local community, and the hit documentary Welcome to Wrexham, they transformed the club’s fortunes on and off the pitch.
In 2023, Wrexham finally earned promotion back to the Football League, sparking wild celebrations. More than just celebrity owners, Reynolds and McElhenney gave Wrexham hope, pride, and Hollywood stardust, rewriting football history in the process.
Will Ferrell – Stake in LAFC
Will Ferrell isn’t just the guy who made you laugh in Elf or Anchorman, he’s also a co-owner of Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC. Back in 2016, Ferrell surprised fans by joining the club’s diverse ownership group, which includes business moguls, athletes, and entertainers.
Known for his love of sports and comedy, Ferrell brings both energy and star power to LAFC. Under this ownership, the club quickly became one of MLS’s most exciting teams, winning the MLS Cup in 2022. Ferrell’s involvement shows Hollywood’s growing influence in football while keeping LAFC firmly rooted in fan culture.
Elton John – Watford’s Fairy Tale
Elton John isn’t just a music icon, he’s also the man who helped turn Watford FC into one of English football’s most heart-warming fairy tales. A lifelong fan, Elton bought the club in the 1970s when they were languishing in the lower leagues.
With Graham Taylor as manager and Elton’s passion (and money) driving the project, Watford soared from the Fourth Division all the way to the First Division in just a few years, even finishing second in 1983. For Elton, Watford was more than business, it was pure love, community spirit, and a dream fulfilled.
Natalie Portman and Christina Aguilera – Angel City FC
The rise of women’s football received a massive boost with the inception of Angel City FC, a female club debuting in the National Women’s Football League (NWFL) in 2022.
Notable celebrities like Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner, and Billie Jean King, along with former US women’s national team players, have lent their star power to elevate women’s football to new heights.
Michael B. Jordan – Bournemouth
Inspired by the success of Wrexham FC’s ownership venture, American actor Michael B. Jordan made his own mark in football by investing in Premier League club Bournemouth.
As part of an ownership group led by American businessman Bill Foley, Jordan’s enthusiasm and commitment to the team have ignited excitement among Bournemouth supporters.
Other Randoms in Football Ownership
LeBron James – Partial owner of Liverpool
Matthew McConaughey – Invested in Austin FC
Stormzy – Co-owner of AFC Croydon with Wilfried Zaha
Also Read- The Strangest Football Contracts Ever Signed: From Space Travel Bans To Lego Houses
