Fame Meets Football: The Stars Behind Top Soccer Clubs
Late-night reruns of classic matches used to be our only glimpse of celebrities and soccer colliding.
Fast forward to today, and you’ve got Hollywood heavyweights owning teams, A-listers filling boardrooms—and even star players shifting the balance of power on the pitch.
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Celebrity-backed teams often attract unpredictable results and bold tactics — making them a favourite among those seeking football betting insights based on more than just statistics.
Hollywood on the Pitch
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney didn’t just buy Wrexham AFC on a lark. They inherited a Welsh club languishing in the National League, pumped in fresh funds, and watched it roar back to the English Football League.
After three consecutive promotions, there’s something poetic in seeing Deadpool and Mac stand pitch-side—two actors revitalizing a community club with genuine passion (and a fair share of memes).
It isn’t all red carpets and glam; relegation battles, training ground dramas and relegation scraps follow, just like any other team’s. But you can’t deny the extra sizzle when those Hollywood names show up.
A Women’s Football Revolution
Then there’s Angel City FC—Natalie Portman and Serena Williams among its founding investors—championing women’s soccer in Los Angeles.
Their arrival in the NWSL sparked record crowds and bold off-field initiatives. The Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger and his wife Willow Bay recently became the club’s majority shareholders, with a reported investment of $250 million. They’ve tapped a real zeitgeist, turning games into cultural events, complete with star-studded halftime shows. Game changer.
When Athletes Invest
LeBron James? Yup. He snagged a 2 per cent slice of Liverpool FC via Fenway Sports Group back in 2011—and that 2 per cent, once worth about $6.5 million, is now being reckoned in tens of millions.
His 2% stake in Liverpool was converted into a broader 1% ownership stake in Fenway Sports Group in 2021. His move blurred the lines between basketball and football fandom stateside.
And then Michael B. Jordan, fresh off blockbuster roles, quietly joined Bournemouth’s minority group, giving the Premier League side extra U.S. shine. I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but seeing his bespoke kit designs made me grin—who knew Tinseltown met football kit fashion?
Spotlight: Matheus Cunha
Not every star behind a club owns shares—some, like Matheus Cunha, simply own the spotlight on it. The Brazilian forward lit up Wolves last season, banging in 15 goals and dishing six assists over 33 Premier League appearances.
Now he’s pocketing dreams at Manchester United, lining up as their new No. 10. Watching him ghost past defenders, I felt that familiar jolt: when raw talent meets expectation, anything seems possible.
Matheus Cunha has risen to stardom, particularly after his recent transfer to Manchester United—a fitting finale to a rise fueled by grit, flair and a knack for seizing big moments. This marks him as a key figure in the club’s new era under manager.
What do you think? Which celebrity-owned club or star player gets you talking over coffee? Drop a comment below and let the debate begin.
