How Many US Owners Are There in UK Football?
Entering the 2023-24 season, a notable trend sweeps through English football. Over 30 clubs, spanning the top-tier Premier League to the lower leagues, now boast at least partial American ownership. U.S. investment is at its pinnacle in the Premier League, though the influence of Stateside businesspeople is growing rapidly in the lower echelons.
This summer, Kevin M. Nagle, owner of the USL Championship team Sacramento Republic and investor in NBA’s Sacramento Kings, took the reins of Championship club Huddersfield Town. Leeds United, relegated from the Premier League last season, has agreed to come under majority ownership of the York Family. The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers investment arm, 49ers Enterprises, has been slowly growing its stake since 2018. Birmingham City, another Championship club, is now under the control of American investor and hedge fund manager Tom Wagner, who interestingly also owns a Major League Pickleball team alongside retired sports stars Kim Clijsters and Tom Brady.
Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and the Rise of US Investment in English Football
In the landscape of American involvement in English football, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney stand as trailblazers. Their successful takeover of Wrexham, a Welsh club playing in the fifth tier of English football just two years ago, has arguably catalyzed a surge in U.S. investment. By elevating the profile of the sport Stateside and guiding Wrexham to promotion, they’ve laid a blueprint for American ownership in the English game.
American Influence in the National League
Although Wrexham has since moved up, American presence remains significant in the National League. Peter B. Freund, an investor in the New York Yankees, owns Dagenham & Redbridge. John Katz, from U.S. investment company Final Third Sport, is CEO at Woking. This level of the game is becoming an attractive venture for American investors seeking to emulate Reynolds and McElhenney’s success.
The American Connection in League 2
In League 2, Wrexham’s owners are joined by American businessman Brad Galinson at Gillingham. Meanwhile, WAGMI United, a consortium of American cryptocurrency investors, have taken control of Crawley Town. Sutton United and Walsall also feature American involvement, indicating that the trend is seeping deeper into the roots of English football.
League 1 Clubs with American Stakeholders
League 1 continues this trend, with several clubs boasting American interests in their ownership. The list includes Barnsley, Cambridge United, Charlton Athletic, Lincoln City, Portsmouth, and Wycombe Wanderers.
The American Impact on the Championship
Between a quarter to a third of the English Football League (EFL), including the Championship, is U.S.-owned. Birmingham, Huddersfield, Ipswich Town, Millwall, Norwich City, Plymouth Argyle, and Swansea City all fall under partial or full American ownership.
As these teams vie for promotion to the Premier League in the upcoming season, they stand to further augment the growing American influence in the top tier of English football. This ever-increasing U.S. investment is poised to continue transforming the English game.
Premier League Clubs with American Ownership
1. Arsenal: Stan Kroenke
American businessman Stan Kroenke has controlled Arsenal since 2011. Besides Arsenal, his sports portfolio includes numerous franchises under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
2. Aston Villa: Wes Edens
Wes Edens, co-founder of Fortress Investment Group, became a majority owner of Aston Villa in 2018 alongside Nassef Sawiris. Edens also co-owns the NBA’s, Milwaukee Bucks.
3. Bournemouth: Bill Foley
Bill Foley, known for his ownership of NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights, ventured into English football by acquiring Bournemouth in 2021.
4. Chelsea: Todd Boehly
Chelsea fell under the control of American financier Todd Boehly in 2022. Since then, Boehly’s investments have significantly impacted the club and the Premier League landscape.
5. Crystal Palace: Josh Harris and David Blitzer
Josh Harris and David Blitzer, well-known for their investments in various sports teams, became part owners of Crystal Palace in 2015.
6. Fulham: Shahid Khan
Shahid Khan, an American billionaire of Pakistani origin and owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, acquired Fulham in 2013.
7. Liverpool: John Henry and Tom Werner
Liverpool has been under the control of American businessmen John Henry and Tom Werner since 2010. Their leadership, through the Fenway Sports Group, has taken the club to new heights.
8. Manchester United: The Glazer family
The Glazer family, prominent in American real estate, became the first American owners in the Premier League with their acquisition of Manchester United in 2005.
9. Manchester City: Egon Durban
While primarily owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, Manchester City also has a slice of American involvement. Silver Lake, an American private equity firm led by Egon Durban, holds a significant stake in City Football Group, the parent company of the club.
While the Premier League continues to attract American investment, it’s clear the trend is spreading to lower-tier English clubs. With this influx of foreign ownership, the landscape of English football continues to evolve.
American Tycoons Rule The Football & Premier League
How Many US Owners Are There in UK Football?
Entering the 2023-24 season, a notable trend sweeps through English football. Over 30 clubs, spanning the top-tier Premier League to the lower leagues, now boast at least partial American ownership. U.S. investment is at its pinnacle in the Premier League, though the influence of Stateside businesspeople is growing rapidly in the lower echelons.
This summer, Kevin M. Nagle, owner of the USL Championship team Sacramento Republic and investor in NBA’s Sacramento Kings, took the reins of Championship club Huddersfield Town. Leeds United, relegated from the Premier League last season, has agreed to come under majority ownership of the York Family. The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers investment arm, 49ers Enterprises, has been slowly growing its stake since 2018. Birmingham City, another Championship club, is now under the control of American investor and hedge fund manager Tom Wagner, who interestingly also owns a Major League Pickleball team alongside retired sports stars Kim Clijsters and Tom Brady.
Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and the Rise of US Investment in English Football
In the landscape of American involvement in English football, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney stand as trailblazers. Their successful takeover of Wrexham, a Welsh club playing in the fifth tier of English football just two years ago, has arguably catalyzed a surge in U.S. investment. By elevating the profile of the sport Stateside and guiding Wrexham to promotion, they’ve laid a blueprint for American ownership in the English game.
American Influence in the National League
Although Wrexham has since moved up, American presence remains significant in the National League. Peter B. Freund, an investor in the New York Yankees, owns Dagenham & Redbridge. John Katz, from U.S. investment company Final Third Sport, is CEO at Woking. This level of the game is becoming an attractive venture for American investors seeking to emulate Reynolds and McElhenney’s success.
The American Connection in League 2
In League 2, Wrexham’s owners are joined by American businessman Brad Galinson at Gillingham. Meanwhile, WAGMI United, a consortium of American cryptocurrency investors, have taken control of Crawley Town. Sutton United and Walsall also feature American involvement, indicating that the trend is seeping deeper into the roots of English football.
League 1 Clubs with American Stakeholders
League 1 continues this trend, with several clubs boasting American interests in their ownership. The list includes Barnsley, Cambridge United, Charlton Athletic, Lincoln City, Portsmouth, and Wycombe Wanderers.
The American Impact on the Championship
Between a quarter to a third of the English Football League (EFL), including the Championship, is U.S.-owned. Birmingham, Huddersfield, Ipswich Town, Millwall, Norwich City, Plymouth Argyle, and Swansea City all fall under partial or full American ownership.
As these teams vie for promotion to the Premier League in the upcoming season, they stand to further augment the growing American influence in the top tier of English football. This ever-increasing U.S. investment is poised to continue transforming the English game.
Premier League Clubs with American Ownership
1. Arsenal: Stan Kroenke
American businessman Stan Kroenke has controlled Arsenal since 2011. Besides Arsenal, his sports portfolio includes numerous franchises under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment.
2. Aston Villa: Wes Edens
Wes Edens, co-founder of Fortress Investment Group, became a majority owner of Aston Villa in 2018 alongside Nassef Sawiris. Edens also co-owns the NBA’s, Milwaukee Bucks.
3. Bournemouth: Bill Foley
Bill Foley, known for his ownership of NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights, ventured into English football by acquiring Bournemouth in 2021.
4. Chelsea: Todd Boehly
Chelsea fell under the control of American financier Todd Boehly in 2022. Since then, Boehly’s investments have significantly impacted the club and the Premier League landscape.
5. Crystal Palace: Josh Harris and David Blitzer
Josh Harris and David Blitzer, well-known for their investments in various sports teams, became part owners of Crystal Palace in 2015.
6. Fulham: Shahid Khan
Shahid Khan, an American billionaire of Pakistani origin and owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, acquired Fulham in 2013.
7. Liverpool: John Henry and Tom Werner
Liverpool has been under the control of American businessmen John Henry and Tom Werner since 2010. Their leadership, through the Fenway Sports Group, has taken the club to new heights.
8. Manchester United: The Glazer family
The Glazer family, prominent in American real estate, became the first American owners in the Premier League with their acquisition of Manchester United in 2005.
9. Manchester City: Egon Durban
While primarily owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, Manchester City also has a slice of American involvement. Silver Lake, an American private equity firm led by Egon Durban, holds a significant stake in City Football Group, the parent company of the club.
While the Premier League continues to attract American investment, it’s clear the trend is spreading to lower-tier English clubs. With this influx of foreign ownership, the landscape of English football continues to evolve.
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