Coming considerably out of the blue (if you happen to’ll excuse the pun), it has been introduced that NFL legend Tom Brady has grow to be a shareholder in Championship facet Birmingham Metropolis.
Former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Brady has entered a partnership with The Blues’ new house owners to grow to be a minority stakeholder within the membership.
Seven-time Tremendous Bowl champion Brady introduced his lengthy and phenomenally profitable NFL profession to an finish in February when the 46-year-old introduced his retirement from the sport.
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“Birmingham Metropolis is an iconic membership with a lot historical past and keenness, and to be a part of the Blues is an actual honour for me,” Brady mentioned, effortlessly saying the membership’s identify like a neighborhood (“Birming-uhm“) as he did so.
“I have been a part of some wonderful groups in my day, and I am wanting ahead to making use of my perspective to create that very same success right here in Birmingham.”
Welcome to the Blues household, @TomBrady! 💙 pic.twitter.com/ppPyLc6Zsf
— Birmingham Metropolis FC (@BCFC) August 3, 2023
Having beforehand been owned by a Chinese language consortium, Metropolis had been taken over in July by American businessman Tom Wagner and his US-based Shelby Corporations Restricted.
In a welcoming assertion, Wagner mentioned that Brady won’t solely chair Birmingham’s new advisory board but additionally have a direct affect on the membership’s males’s, girls’s and academy groups in addition to their international advertising and industrial efforts.
And with that, Brady joins the ever-lengthening listing of sporting superstars and superstar names who’ve taken possession stakes in soccer golf equipment.
Whether or not it’s ex-footballers resembling David Beckham (Inter Miami CF), dominant athletes in different sports activities resembling Patrick Mahomes (Sporting KC), Kevin Durant (Philadelphia Union) and LeBron James (Liverpool), music icons from Elton John (previously the chairman of Watford) to Christina Aguilera (Angel Metropolis FC) or Hollywood stars together with Ryan Reynolds (Wrexham), Will Ferrell (LAFC) and Natalie Portman (Angel Metropolis FC), membership possession is turning into an more and more interesting proposition to celebrities.
It may be a ardour for the game, a private connection, strictly enterprise or, frankly, simply because they will, however we’re seeing extra and celebs dipping their toes into soccer possession for all kinds of causes. In that vein, we checked out different celebrities who’ve possession stakes in soccer golf equipment all over the world.
This text has been up to date because it was first revealed June 16, 2020
NFL legend J.J. Watt and former United States midfielder Kealia Watt introduced that that they had grow to be minority buyers in Burnley in Could 2023, shortly after the English membership had gained the second-tier Championship and with it secured promotion again to the Premier League. The pair attended some matches at Turf Moor as Vincent Kompany’s facet returned to the highest flight only a 12 months after being relegated, but it surely’s not simply the lads’s staff that they’ve their eye on. Kealia Watt mentioned: “Within the US, I’ve seen the NWSL develop into one thing actually unbelievable, and we might like to be part of rising the ladies’s staff right here and be part of their journey.”
Christina Aguilera (Angel Metropolis FC)
In February 2022, Christina Aguilera grew to become probably the most latest high-profile additions to the star-studded possession group at NWSL franchise Angel Metropolis FC alongside Natalie Portman, Jessica Chastain, Jennifer Garner, Eva Longoria, Serena Williams and plenty of distinguished former members of the USWNT resembling Abby Wambach, Mia Hamm, Shannon Boxx and Julie Foudy.
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos (Campobasso)
U.S. tv personalities Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos took the marginally unorthodox choice to grow to be part-owners in a small, lower-league Italian staff earlier this 12 months after buying shares in Campobasso, who performed within the regionalised fifth tier, one rung beneath Serie D. Nicknamed “Lupi” (“Wolves”), Campobasso performed in Serie B throughout the Nineteen Eighties however have by no means since managed to rescale these lofty heights, going by a number of collapses and reformations within the meantime. Certainly, the membership had been banned from taking part within the Italian league system altogether on the finish of the 2020-21 Serie C season on account of “administrative irregularities. They then merged with one other native facet to re-enter the pyramid within the fifth tier. With Ripa and Consuelos on board, the Lupi instantly set about clawing their method again up the league and shortly sealed promotion to Serie D in 2022-23 after topping the desk for almost all of the marketing campaign.
Patrick Mahomes (Sporting KC and KC Present)
Tremendous Bowl Champion. NFL MVP. And now the most recent member of the @SportingKC possession group!
Welcome, @PatrickMahomes, to @MLS! pic.twitter.com/02QhQKrAGs
— Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) July 27, 2021
Not content material with merely being the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ star quarterback, Mahomes can be a part of the possession teams of his adopted metropolis’s MLS and NWSL groups. Mahomes joined the possession group of the Kansas Metropolis Royals baseball staff in 2020, bought a stake in SKC in 2021 and in January 2023 it was introduced that he had grow to be the primary energetic NFL participant to have fairness in an NWSL membership. “I’m grateful for the possibility to hitch my spouse as a part of the Kansas Metropolis Present’s possession staff,” the Tremendous Bowl LIV winner mentioned. “Brittany and the Longs have achieved an unbelievable job constructing a world-class group. I’m excited to hitch one other championship-caliber membership because it continues to make historical past.”
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney (Wrexham FC)
We might wish to welcome our new shirt sponsor, you will have heard of them 👀@TikTok_UK | @TikTok_US
🔴⚪ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/JgJs6QUj7H
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) June 30, 2021
Actors Reynolds and McElhenney joined forces to spearhead a shock Hollywood takeover of Wrexham in November 2020, with the membership sitting 14th within the fifth-tier Nationwide League. The 157-year-old Welsh membership have been enjoying non-league soccer since 2008 after they final dropped out of the Soccer League, however that did not dissuade Reynolds and McElhenney from vowing to awake the “sleeping big” and rework the Pink Dragons right into a “international power.” Wrexham went on to complete eighth in 2020-21, lacking out on the playoffs by a single level, a way wanting their highest-ever league end: fifteenth within the outdated Second Division (now the Championship) again in 1978-79. The duo have been having lots of fun in their new role as sports owners, and a Disney+ present about their adventures at The Racecourse Floor known as “Welcome to Wrexham” has proved to be an enormous success amongst followers.
Kevin Durant (Philadelphia Union)
NBA famous person Kevin Durant introduced in June 2020 that he had bought an possession stake in Main League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union. The Brooklyn Nets ahead and former NBA MVP purchased an preliminary 5% stake within the membership with an choice to buy an extra 5% sooner or later. The transfer “simply made sense” in accordance with Durant, who twice beforehand made makes an attempt to hitch the possession group of D.C. United. “I have been a fan of the game, after which seeing how briskly the recognition of the league was rising, seeing extra followers pop up in several cities across the nation, after which seeing how these franchises affect town’s companies and folks individually was very intriguing,” Durant informed ESPN in an unique interview on the time. Only a few months after Durant got here on board, the Union claimed the Supporters’ Protect because the first-place staff in Main League Soccer’s common season.
– Captain America to the rescue! Union have fun with pretend Supporters’ Protect
LeBron James (Liverpool)
The Los Angeles Lakers famous person has gained 4 NBA titles, 4 league and finals MVP awards and has been an All-Star 17 instances, and in addition owns a minority stake in Premier League membership Liverpool. The longer term Corridor of Famer purchased 2% of the Merseyside membership in 2011, and has that funding paid off! In 2018, Enterprise Insider reported that James’ $6.5m investment was worth $32m. Since then, Liverpool have gained the Champions League and been topped Premier League champions for the primary time in 30 years, so suffice to say, James has over 32 million causes to belt out “You may By no means Stroll Alone.”
Will Ferrell, Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm, Nomar Garciaparra (LAFC)
LAFC is making ready for its fifth season in MLS, however the Los Angeles new boys have already got an actual Hollywood really feel to them. Whereas nearly all of the membership is owned by native buyers Brandon Beck, Larry Berg and Bennett Rosenthal, comic Will Ferrell, NBA Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson, ex-USWNT legend Mia Hamm and Hamm’s husband and former MLB All-Star Nomar Garciaparra all additionally personal a stake in The Black and Gold. On the sphere, LAFC has been one of many league’s finest and most enjoyable golf equipment since its inception, successful the Supporters’ Protect in 2019, whereas off it there have been loads of laughs due to Ferrell. The previous “Saturday Evening Reside” star — additionally a Chelsea supporter — marked the facet’s first-ever contest by conducting an interview with ESPN as “Anchorman” character Ron Burgundy.
Durant’s former Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder teammate James Harden bought a 5% stake within the Houston Dynamo in July 2019. The Dynamo, who additionally rely former world champion boxer Oscar de la Hoya amongst their house owners, missed the playoffs in Harden’s first season aboard however are valued at a lofty $475m. The membership even made him really feel at dwelling by giving their total roster “The Beard” remedy on the membership’s official web site.
BeardApp > FaceApp pic.twitter.com/JlOUbyoE84
— Houston Dynamo (@HoustonDynamo) July 19, 2019
Elton John (Watford)
An ever-present at Vicarage Street, the British pop icon has owned Watford on two separate events, first from 1976 to 1987 and later from 1997 to 2002. Nonetheless an honorary life president of the membership, John usually attends Watford dwelling matches and even had a stand named after him in 2014. John’s first spell as chairman coincided with Watford rising from the fourth tier to the highest flight, highlighted by a second-place end in 1983 and an FA Cup closing run in 1984. The artist’s hit “I am Nonetheless Standing” was named the Hornets’ official membership anthem in 2019, whereas John’s son Zachary joined Watford’s Academy in 2018.
Drew Carey (Seattle Sounders)
The actor, comic and sport present host grew to become one of many first American celebrities to get into soccer possession when he purchased a 7.5% stake in MLS enlargement facet Seattle Sounders in 2007. An avid Cleveland sports activities fan, Carey first grew to become enthusiastic about soccer after visiting Spain and his love for the game has solely blossomed from there. The “Whose Line Is It Anyway” and “The Value Is Proper” host’s involvement with the Sounders has been fruitful as Seattle has gained two MLS Cups (2016, 2019) and emerged as considered one of MLS’ most beneficial golf equipment. Carey will not be an absentee proprietor, both, as he usually attends dwelling video games and serves because the president of Sounders FC Alliance, the membership’s official membership group.
Matthew McConaughey (Austin FC)
“All proper, all proper, all proper.” The “Dazed and Confused,” “The Lincoln Lawyer” and “The Wolf of Wall Road” star purchased into his beloved school metropolis’s foray into soccer in 2019. Austin FC then joined MLS in 2021, making their league debut with a reasonably underwhelming run of six straight defeats. Arguably, the franchise had already scored their first main victory by managing to get McConaughey — the unofficial mayor of Austin — on board within the first place. Their first league factors got here courtesy of a convincing 4-1 drubbing of Portland Timbers in early July. This was after McConaughey had delivered a motivational drum performance earlier than the earlier dwelling sport towards San Jose Earthquakes in scenes eerily much like his chest-thumping, rhythmic-humming, trance-like cameo in “The Wolf of Wall Road.”
All the things Zlatan does appears to make headlines, so it was no shock that the brash striker’s announcement that he was shopping for 25% of Swedish membership Hammarby in 2019 ruffled some feathers. A product of the Malmo youth system, Ibrahimovic’s choice to put money into a rival membership like Hammarby was labeled a “betrayal” in Malmo and even provoked Malmo supporters to vandalise after which topple a statue of the striker outdoors of the membership’s dwelling floor. Zlatan wasn’t too fazed by the backlash, calling the group “kindergarten degree.” Keep in mind, it is a man who has in contrast himself to lions, Ferraris and even God!
Russell Wilson and Ciara (Seattle Sounders)
They love their sports activities and stars in Seattle, so it’s becoming that Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and spouse and Grammy award-winning singer Ciara joined the Seattle Sounders possession group in 2019. At their unveiling as house owners, the Professional Bowl QB known as soccer a “transformational sport” and added that the unifying energy and inclusiveness of the game performed an enormous half within the couple’s choice to become involved.
Actual Valladolid are a reasonably inconspicuous membership, having flip-flopped between Spain’s Primera and Segunda Divisions for a lot of their historical past. That did not deter Ronaldo. The Brazil legend, who gained two World Cups and two Ballon d’Ors throughout his illustrious enjoying profession, purchased a 51% share within the Spanish membership in 2018 for €30m and now holds an 82% stake within the Blanquivioletas. Valladolid lasted three seasons in LaLiga earlier than they had been relegated final season.
Diplo (Phoenix Rising)
One of many world’s hottest and profitable DJs, Diplo is one other superstar who has an actual affection for “The Lovely Recreation.” The three-time Grammy award winner purchased a stake in USL facet Phoenix Rising in 2016 and makes up a star-studded possession group that features Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz and ex-MLB pitcher Brandon McCarthy. The membership nonetheless has designs on becoming a member of MLS, and beforehand featured Diplo’s document label Mad Respectable as a jersey sponsor.
Ex-NBA star Steve Nash’s love for soccer is well-documented, with the previous level guard a die-hard Tottenham Hotspur supporter and an occasional Champions League analyst. Born in South Africa, Nash comes from a soccer household. His brother Martin earned 38 caps for Canada, whereas his sister Joann captained her school soccer staff for 3 years. The previous Phoenix Suns star and two-time NBA MVP first purchased into his hometown Whitecaps again in 2008 after which Spanish facet Mallorca in 2016. Nash’s funding in Mallorca (he was a part of a bunch that bought a $21m stake) has proved a masterstroke as Mallorca has earned back-to-back promotions and this season are again in La Liga for the primary time since 2013.
Class of ’92: David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt (Salford Metropolis)
The “Class of ’92” consisting of David Beckham, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt rose to prominence in Manchester nearly 30 years in the past, successful a mixed 120 trophies at Previous Trafford underneath legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson. In 2014, 5 of the six returned to the Manchester space to buy eighth-tier Salford Metropolis, whose floor resides simply 5 miles away from the intense lights of “The Theatre of Desires.” Beckham joined his former teammates by additionally shopping for a ten% stake in 2019, and the membership has flourished since. Salford, thanks largely to the monetary backing from the Class of ’92, earned 4 promotions in 5 seasons to achieve the fourth tier (League Two) and the Soccer League for the primary time ever. The membership unveiled a brand new stadium in 2017 and are the topic of the docuseries “Class of ’92: Out of Their League,” which is offered on Netflix. Beckham has additionally struck out on his personal, and he’s the president and co-owner of MLS membership Inter Miami.
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