Surprising stars you didn't know owned sports teams and leagues

Tom Brady seems to be collecting sports teams now that he's retired from professional football. However, he's branched out of the US and now finds himself in the world of English soccer! Brady revealed that he has become a co-owner of a second-tier team on Twitter on August 3, 2023. “So here’s the deal. I’m officially coming on board at Birmingham City Football Club. And maybe you’re asking, ‘What do you know about English football, Tom?'” he said in the clip. “Well, let’s just say, I’ve got a lot to learn.” Brady joined a trend in American stars investing in English soccer teams, including Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney who purchased Wrexham FC in 2020.

This is the second team Brady has invested in, having struck a deal to become a part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders in June, 2023. He also already co-owns a Major League Pickleball Team, and he's a minority owner of WNBA team the Las Vegas Aces.

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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney -

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney became co-owners of Welsh soccer club Wrexham F.C. in October of 2021. The deal between the 'Deadpool' star and the 'It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia' creator was initially announced in February of that year. The actors reportedly paid a "nominal sum," and pledged an immediate investment of US$2.5 million.

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Alex Rodriguez -

Former star baseball player Alex Rodriguez made an agreement to buy the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team in 2021. The purchase was made through the ownership group he started with tech entrepreneur Marc Lore, and the two will be equal partners in this new venture. It's rumored that they reached an agreement on the whopping sum of US$1.5 billion. Rodriguez had previously tried to purchase the New York Mets with his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, but they were beaten to it by hedge fund titan Steve Cohen for US$2.6 billion.

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LeBron James -

Fenway Sports Group, the parent company of the Red Sox and Liverpool Football Club, added a surprising partner in 2021: LeBron James. One of the most popular names in sports, the NBA star now owns an undisclosed amount of FSG shares, after previously holding an approximately 2% share of the Liverpool soccer franchise. Not many people would associate the Lakers star with baseball, but James will be part-owner of the Boston Red Sox, as well as other FSG subsidiaries, including Roush Fenway Racing and Fenway Sports Management, the Boston Globe reports.

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Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson - Johnson, his business partner and ex-wife Dany Garcia, and private investment firm RedBird Capital have bought the XFL football league for US$15 million, this after the league's failed relaunch and eventual bankruptcy filing in 2021.

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Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, and more -

A group of investors led by Natalie Portman founded the women's soccer club Angel City FC in Los Angeles. Other lead investors include technology mogul Kara Nortman, gaming entrepreneur Julie Uhrman, and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, who is married to Serena Williams, who herself is part of a smaller investment group associated with the project. Other investors include Jessica Chastain, America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Garner, Uzo Aduba, Lilly Singh, Abby Wambach, Mia Hamm, and more.

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Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez - When Jennifer Lopez was still with Marc Anthony, they bought a small stake in the Miami Dolphins in 2009. Following their divorce, Lopez gave up her share in the club, but Anthony remained a shareholder.

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Elton John - In 1976, the famous singer became the chairman of the soccer club he supports, Watford FC. He is no longer the majority shareholder, but still holds a financial stake and has a stand at their stadium named after him.

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Will Ferrell -

The actor is an owner of Los Angeles FC, along with soccer legend Mia Hamm and basketball icon Magic Johnson.

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Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons - In 2013, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the rock band KISS co-founded Arena Football League’s LA KISS team, which quickly became one of the league's marquee franchises, but then folded in 2016.

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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith -

In 2011, the power couple purchased a share in the Philadelphia 76ers basketball team, which isn’t a surprise since Will Smith was born and raised in West Philadelphia and reportedly spent most of his days shootin’ some b-ball outside of the school.

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Fergie and Gloria Estefan - In 2009, The Black Eyed Peas singer became a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins, alongside Gloria Estefan (left) and her husband Emilio (center right).

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Justin Timberlake - In 2012, the singer became a part of a group led by Robert Pera—founder and CEO of Ubiquiti Networks—that purchased Timberlake’s hometown basketball team, the Memphis Grizzlies, for around US$350 million. He was also reportedly helping recruit players like Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons.

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Bill Murray - The actor is a huge baseball fan, and he bought stakes in several minor league baseball teams including the St. Paul Saints, for which he reportedly also served as the first base coach and the team’s psychologist. He’s also co-owner and “director of fun” for the Charleston RiverDogs, and clearly took his job seriously as he slid across the tarp during a 2012 rain delay to keep fans occupied.

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Jon Bon Jovi - In the most rock-star move ever, Bon Jovi co-founded and co-owned the arena football team Philadelphia Soul in 2004, which ended up winning the AFL championship in 2008.

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Usher - The singer was especially happy with the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA title win because back in 2005 he had joined Dan Gilbert’s investor group and become an owner of the team.

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Russell Crowe - Raised in Sydney, the actor bought the South Sydney Rabbitohs National Rugby League team in 2006, along with businessman Peter Holmes à Court.

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Jay-Z - In 2004, the rapper joined Bruce Ratner to purchase the Brooklyn Nets basketball team for US$300 million. In 2013, Jay-Z announced that he would sell his ownership to focus on his own sports management agency, Roc Nation Sports.

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Nelly - In 2010, the rapper purchased a stake in the Charlotte Bobcats team through Bobcats Basketball Holdings LLC.

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Michael Jordan - Basketball legend Michael Jordan also bought a small share of the Charlotte Bobcats in 2006, and then bought a bigger share in 2010, becoming the first former basketball player to own a majority stake in an NBA team. The team is currently known as the Charlotte Hornets, this after Jordan filed papers to have the name changed in 2013.

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John Candy -

In 1991, comedian John Candy (middle) bought a share of the Canadian football team the Toronto Argonauts, along with ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky (right) and sports executive Bruce McNall (left). The group sold their share in 1994, the year Candy died of a heart attack.

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Venus and Serena Williams - Along with some other celebrities, the tennis stars bought a share in the Miami Dolphins in 2009.

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George W. Bush - Before becoming the 43rd President of the United States, Bush was an owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team, as well as a managing general partner. He reportedly received US$15 million when the Rangers sold in 1998.

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Tim McGraw -

In 2004, the country singer became part owner of the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats team, though it folded a few years later.

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Nick Lachey - The singer purchased a share in the minor league baseball team the Tacoma Rainiers in 2006.

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Michelle Williams - Along with Beyoncé’s father, Matthew Knowles, this Destiny’s Child singer bought a share in the WNBA’s Chicago Sky team in 2006.

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Drew Carey - The 'Price Is Right' host is a big soccer fan and was part of the original ownership group of the Seattle Sounders FC.

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David Letterman - The TV host bought a share of the IndyCar Rahal racing team in 1996, and officially had his name added to the team in 2004.

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Magic Johnson - The former Lakers basketball star was also part of an investment group that bought the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team for US$2 billion from owner Frank McCourt in 2012.

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Steve Nash - The former Canadian basketball star became a Vancouver Whitecaps FC co-owner.

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Bill Maher - In 2012, comedian Bill Maher bought a share in the New York Mets baseball team. This photograph was taken before then, which would explain the Yankees t-shirt.

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Bob Hope - In 1946, the late comedian bought a small stake in the Major League Baseball team the Cleveland Indians, meaning he partly owned the team during its last World Series title in 1948.

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Ted Turner - The American media mogul really loves Atlanta, and purchased the Atlanta Braves baseball team in 1976, as well as owned the Atlanta Hawks basketball team from 1977 to 2004.

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Delia Smith -

The British celebrity chef owns the soccer club she supports, Norwich City FC. She and her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones, are joint majority shareholders

See more: Unexpected celebrity soccer fans

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Tom Brady -

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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney -

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Alex Rodriguez -

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LeBron James -

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Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, and more -

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Will Ferrell -

The actor is an owner of Los Angeles FC, along with soccer legend Mia Hamm and basketball icon Magic Johnson.

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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith -

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Fergie and Gloria Estefan - In 2009, The Black Eyed Peas singer became a minority owner of the Miami Dolphins, alongside Gloria Estefan (left) and her husband Emilio (center right).

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Jon Bon Jovi - In the most rock-star move ever, Bon Jovi co-founded and co-owned the arena football team Philadelphia Soul in 2004, which ended up winning the AFL championship in 2008.

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Usher - The singer was especially happy with the Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 NBA title win because back in 2005 he had joined Dan Gilbert’s investor group and become an owner of the team.

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Russell Crowe - Raised in Sydney, the actor bought the South Sydney Rabbitohs National Rugby League team in 2006, along with businessman Peter Holmes à Court.

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Nelly - In 2010, the rapper purchased a stake in the Charlotte Bobcats team through Bobcats Basketball Holdings LLC.

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John Candy -

Getty Images

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Venus and Serena Williams - Along with some other celebrities, the tennis stars bought a share in the Miami Dolphins in 2009.

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Tim McGraw -

In 2004, the country singer became part owner of the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats team, though it folded a few years later.

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Nick Lachey - The singer purchased a share in the minor league baseball team the Tacoma Rainiers in 2006.

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Michelle Williams - Along with Beyoncé’s father, Matthew Knowles, this Destiny’s Child singer bought a share in the WNBA’s Chicago Sky team in 2006.

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Drew Carey - The 'Price Is Right' host is a big soccer fan and was part of the original ownership group of the Seattle Sounders FC.

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David Letterman - The TV host bought a share of the IndyCar Rahal racing team in 1996, and officially had his name added to the team in 2004.

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Magic Johnson - The former Lakers basketball star was also part of an investment group that bought the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team for US$2 billion from owner Frank McCourt in 2012.

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Steve Nash - The former Canadian basketball star became a Vancouver Whitecaps FC co-owner.

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Bill Maher - In 2012, comedian Bill Maher bought a share in the New York Mets baseball team. This photograph was taken before then, which would explain the Yankees t-shirt.

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Bob Hope - In 1946, the late comedian bought a small stake in the Major League Baseball team the Cleveland Indians, meaning he partly owned the team during its last World Series title in 1948.

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Ted Turner - The American media mogul really loves Atlanta, and purchased the Atlanta Braves baseball team in 1976, as well as owned the Atlanta Hawks basketball team from 1977 to 2004.

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Delia Smith -

The British celebrity chef owns the soccer club she supports, Norwich City FC. She and her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones, are joint majority shareholders

See more: Unexpected celebrity soccer fans

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Surprising stars you didn't know owned sports teams and leagues

Tom Brady became the co-owner of British soccer team Birmingham City FC

11/07/24 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY Sport

When you belong to the rich and famous category of society, you don’t have to subject yourself to being a mere fan of sports teams—you can become an owner!

For some stars, a team is not enough, so they went ahead and bought an entire league! Click ahead to see which celebrities decided to put their money where their big foam finger is.