Why are so many rich Americans investing in British soccer teams? : NPR
Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds (right), his wife Blake Lively and Rob McElhenney pose with fans before the English League One football match between Wrexham and Charlton Athletic at Wrexham Racecourse, Wales on April 26, 2025.
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Jon Super/AP
Nestled on the south coast of Great Britain in the county of Dorset, Bournemouth is a quintessential English seaside town, known for its sandy beach and fish and chips. In early October, the Bournemouth men’s football team hosted Fulham, London’s oldest professional football team, for a hotly contested Premier League match.
But while these two football teams may seem entirely English, they are actually both American-owned. And they’re not alone: teams like Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United, which have fans around the world, now all have American owners. In fact, more than half of the 92 teams in England and Wales’ top four leagues are owned by American owners, while Americans also invest in teams in Scotland and across Europe.
“It’s a much more affordable option to access a major, high-level sport,” says Jim Frevola, Bournemouth’s chairman of commercial operations. Frevola moved to Bournemouth from America three years ago to help run the franchise for billionaire owner Bill Foley.
Frevola compares the prices of British football teams to those of sports franchises like the NFL and NBA in the United States. “Teams are going for six, eight billion… whereas you could buy Premier League teams for a much more affordable opportunity,” Frevola said. “And it’s the best league in the world and the best sport in the world.”
Since moving to Bournemouth, Frevola has been struck by the passion of English football fans. “I never thought the sport was different…until I came here,” Frevola said. “It wasn’t until two or three months of living here that I realized this is their life…this is what people live and breathe for. It’s special. It’s unique.”
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo (right) scores his team’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England on August 15, 2025. Both teams are owned by Americans.
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Healthcare and property investor Kevin Nagle owns Huddersfield, a third-tier team in Yorkshire, which he bought two years ago. “I guess instead of saying the British are coming, we say the Americans are coming,” Nagle joked. “I bought it directly in a very short period of time, without having seen it,” he added. “It was only afterwards that I came to Huddersfield to see what it was like. And I was very, very happy.”
Nagle also owns a football team in California, in the Sacramento Republic. But like Jim Frevola, he says there is something special about the rich history of British football. “It’s just amazing to see a lot of our fans, because their great-great-great grandparents watched the team play,” Nagle said. “Do we love our football in the US? Yes. But do we have the same traditions as the UK? Absolutely not.”
The involvement of several American celebrities brought particular attention to British football teams. Actor Will Ferrell has invested in Leeds, rapper Snoop Dogg in Swansea and basketball star LeBron James in Liverpool. Similarly, actor Michael B. Jordan owns a stake in Bournemouth.
Some stars have made documentaries about their teams. First, Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds – born in Canada – and fellow actor and producer Rob McElhenney directed the documentary. Welcome to Wrexham about their journey in purchasing Welsh franchise Wrexham, now in its fourth season. This year, former NFL player Tom Brady joined them with his documentary Built in Birminghamabout becoming part-owner of Birmingham City Football Club.
Brett Goldstein (left to right), Hannah Waddingham, Jason Sudeikis, Juno Temple and the cast and crew of Ted Lasso – about an American college football coach hired to lead a London football team – poses with his awards during the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on September 19, 2021 in Los Angeles.
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Television drama has also stimulated American interest in British football, particularly the hit television series Ted Lassoabout an American college football coach hired to manage a London football team. Starring Jason Sudeikis and Brett Goldstein, the series – which has won multiple Emmys – is set to release its fourth season next year.
Christina Philippou, associate professor of accounting and sports finance at the University of Portsmouth, said while celebrity involvement in many franchises can be attractive, it usually takes the form of a minority stake. “They are able to effectively use their status to enhance the image of the club and help generate more external income, particularly around commercial partnerships,” Philippou said.
She explained that although English football has benefited from investment from Russia and Gulf countries over the years, the new American owners have made their teams more commercial and have also strengthened the women’s football teams in many British franchises. “We have seen a bit more investment in women’s football at club level… [that] It’s American money because traditionally they are more interested in women’s football. »
In the United States, British soccer has a growing audience, with up to 40 million fans, many of whom watch on CBS, says Ben Wright, commercial director of the English Football League, which covers both England and Wales. Wright said interest in soccer in America has increased noticeably during the pandemic. “It felt like… because people couldn’t go out and move around the world, they were watching a lot more,” Wright said.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi, the Argentinian many consider the greatest footballer of all time, plays for American Major League Soccer team Inter Miami. Additionally, next summer’s World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, which experts hope will only grow the sport.
Marcus Tavernier of AFC Bournemouth in action during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Bournemouth, England on August 23, 2025.
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Some soccer fans in Britain are concerned that American owners want to make changes to their league, such as playing championship matches in the United States. But Bournemouth commercial director Jim Frevola says that while he aims to grow his team’s fan base in the United States, there are no plans for a major overhaul. “I think there may be a misconception that American ownership wants to institute [big changes]”, Frevola said. “I’ve heard crazy things like the all-star games. This will never happen. »
At a pub near Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium, most fans are supportive of their American owner Bill Foley. Party supporter Ceri Morgan said while the slight increase in ticket prices was an inconvenience, the investment was evident. “The stadium looks a lot smarter now and we will have increased capacity next season,” he said. Fellow lifelong fan Dom Webb agreed. “It’s been amazing. … We have a really solid foundation now, and I feel like anything is possible,” he said.
