Football has been a game that interests the vast majority. Whether it be with friends, family, or work colleagues, the sport transcends all borders and cultures. More increasingly in recent years, stars have taken their interest a bit further.
Celebrities, those who have made a name for themselves in the entertainment industry through acting and singing, are now expanding into the world of sport. This article looks at a few celebs who have bought into their favorite football clubs.
Elton John
Sir Elton John isn’t just passionate about music, he is also an avid lover of football. Elton first bought into the club in 1976 and has been heavy-handed in the running and governance of it ever since. He bought into Watford, his home football club, and saw them through four divisions. Some even credit Watford’s success at the top of the league to him, although that might be a small few.
The opinion persists! However, a large opinion exists that although he stepped down as chairman in 2002, he will always be the honorary president of Watford. As the times change and music evolves, new generations could very well remember Sir Elton John as a football legend rather than a musical hero.
David Beckham
We all know that David Beckham has a love for football, after all, he dedicated his younger life to the sport and can completely chalk up his celebrity status to his stellar performance as a football player for major clubs. He may have retired, but he could never sever all ties to football; he co-owns the American team Inter Miami.
This did not happen out of the blue; in 2007, Beckham moved to America to play for LA Galaxy; what was rumored and then confirmed to be true is that Beckham negotiated an option to buy an ‘expansion franchise’ upon retiring.
As a result, Inter Miami was founded. We can tell he was thinking ahead of the curb to line up a career after his player days.
Will Farrel
Actor and comedian Will Farrel might not strike you as a passionate football fan. However, he has supported his home ground team, Los Angeles FC, for decades. In 2016 he became a co-owner of the club and has become part of a large investor group that funds the club.
Not only has he been able to inject capital into the team, but he has drummed up new support due to his expansive platform of comedy fans. He has been able to see several club successes, including Los Angeles FC winning its first MLS Cup title in 2022. There is no better satisfaction than being able to see your home team take home a win.
Looking at these examples where the celebrity realm meets football club ownership, it’s clear that this fusion of fame and sport has produced a symphony of success.
Hopefully, more famous faces will get involved with their beloved clubs because evidence shows that it can make a world of difference in the fight to climb the league tables. The general feeling from fans is a renewed sense of hope and positivity, and there is no doubt pundits, as well as sports betting sites, will begin to factor in this growing trend in the sport.
Celebrities not only bring financial benefits but also new press and media success. As these celebrities continue to shape the trajectory of their clubs, we witness a fascinating evolution in the relationship between entertainment and sports. The ownership landscape is no longer limited to traditional investors; it now includes visionaries from Hollywood, the music industry, and beyond!
