Why are so many wealthy People investing in British soccer groups? : NPR

[ad_1] <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5982x3988+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F94%2Fa6%2F661cc5bd412f9a0dde8c78680d91%2Fap25116581833705.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5982x3988+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F94%2Fa6%2F661cc5bd412f9a0dde8c78680d91%2Fap25116581833705.jpg" class="img" alt="Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds (from right), his wife Blake Lively and Rob McElhenney pose with fans before the English League One soccer match between Wrexham and Charlton Athletic at the Racecourse ground in Wrexham, Wales, on April 26, 2025." fetchpriority="high"/> Wrexham co-owners Ryan Reynolds (from proper), his spouse Blake Energetic and Rob McElhenney pose with followers earlier than the English League One soccer match between Wrexham and Charlton Athletic on the Racecourse floor in Wrexham, Wales, on April 26, 2025. Jon Tremendous/AP conceal caption

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Jon Tremendous/AP Nestled on Britain's south coast within the county of Dorset, Bournemouth is a quintessential English seaside city, identified for its sandy seashore and fish and chips. At the beginning of October, Bournemouth males's soccer crew hosted Fulham, London's oldest skilled soccer crew, for a tightly contested Premier League match.

However though these two soccer groups might sound fully English, they're each really owned by People. And they aren't alone: groups like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United, who've followers all over the world, additionally now all have American house owners. Actually, greater than half of the 92 groups within the high 4 leagues in England and Wales have some American possession, whereas People are additionally investing in groups in Scotland and throughout Europe.

"It is a way more reasonably priced choice right into a excessive degree of main sport," explains Jim Frevola, Bournemouth's president of enterprise operations. Frevola moved from America to Bournemouth three years in the past to assist run the franchise for billionaire proprietor Invoice Foley.

Frevola compares the costs of British soccer groups to franchises in sports activities just like the NFL and NBA in America. "Groups are going for six, eight billion … the place you possibly can purchase groups within the Premier League for a way more reasonably priced alternative," Frevola mentioned. "And, it is the most effective league on the planet of the most effective sport on the planet."

Since transferring to Bournemouth, Frevola has been struck by the fervour of English soccer followers. "I by no means thought sports activities was totally different… till I came to visit right here," Frevola mentioned. "It wasn't till two, three months of residing right here did I notice that that is their life … that is what individuals reside and breathe for. That is particular. That is distinctive."

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2982x1988+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F71%2F44%2F4d612c5c40eaa636abab06caa689%2Fap25227730489521.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2982x1988+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F71%2F44%2F4d612c5c40eaa636abab06caa689%2Fap25227730489521.jpg" class="img" alt="Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (right) scores his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, on Aug. 15, 2025. Both teams are owned by Americans." loading="lazy"/> Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (proper) scores his facet's second aim throughout the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, on Aug. 15, 2025. Each groups are owned by People. Ian Hodgson/AP conceal caption

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Ian Hodgson/AP Well being care and actual property investor Kevin Nagle is the proprietor of Huddersfield, a third-tier crew in Yorkshire, which he purchased two years in the past. "I suppose as a substitute of claiming the British are coming, we are saying the People are coming," Nagle joked. "I bought it outright in a extremely quick time period, sight unseen," he added. "It wasn't till after the truth that I got here to Huddersfield to see what it was like. And I used to be very, very comfortable."

Nagle additionally owns a soccer crew in California, Sacramento Republic. However like Jim Frevola, he says there's one thing particular concerning the richness of British soccer historical past. "It is simply superb once we see loads of our followers, as a result of their nice, nice, great-grandparents have been watching the crew play," Nagle says. "Will we love our soccer within the U.S.? Sure. However do now we have the traditions within the U.Ok.? Completely not."

The involvement of a number of U.S. celebrities has introduced further consideration to British soccer groups. Actor Will Ferrell has invested in Leeds, rapper Snoop Dogg in Swansea, and basketball star LeBron James in Liverpool. Equally, actor Michael B. Jordan has a stake in Bournemouth.

Among the stars have made documentaries about their groups. First, Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds — who was born in Canada — and his fellow actor and producer Rob McElhenney made the documentary Welcome to Wrexham about their journey shopping for the Welsh franchise Wrexham, which is now in its fourth season. This 12 months, ex-NFL participant Tom Brady joined them along with his documentary In-built Birmingham, about changing into co-owner of Birmingham Metropolis Soccer Membership.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2153+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5a%2Fcb%2Ff1935477428ea094c91a34199fb8%2Fap21263184459307.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/3000x2153+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F5a%2Fcb%2Ff1935477428ea094c91a34199fb8%2Fap21263184459307.jpg" class="img" alt="Brett Goldstein (from left), Hannah Waddingham, Jason Sudeikis, Juno Temple and the cast and crew from Ted Lasso — about an American college football coach who is hired to manage a London soccer team — pose with their awards at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 19, 2021, in Los Angeles." loading="lazy"/> Brett Goldstein (from left), Hannah Waddingham, Jason Sudeikis, Juno Temple and the solid and crew from Ted Lasso — about an American school soccer coach who's employed to handle a London soccer crew — pose with their awards on the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards on Sept. 19, 2021, in Los Angeles. Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP conceal caption

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Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP TV fiction has additionally boosted American curiosity in British soccer, significantly the profitable TV dramedy Ted Lasso, about an American school soccer coach who's employed to handle a London soccer crew. Starring Jason Sudeikis and Brett Goldstein, the present — which has received a number of Emmys — is ready to launch its fourth season subsequent 12 months.

Christina Philippou, an affiliate professor in accounting and sport finance on the College of Portsmouth, mentioned the movie star involvement in lots of the franchises could be attention-grabbing, it normally takes the type of a minority stake. "They can successfully use their standing to boost the picture of the membership and assist convey in additional exterior revenue significantly round business partnerships," Philippou mentioned.

She defined that whereas English soccer has seen funding from Russia and the Gulf nations through the years, the brand new U.S. house owners have made their groups extra business, in addition to boosting ladies's soccer groups at many British franchises. "We have seen somewhat bit extra funding in ladies's soccer inside membership degree … a part of [that] is American cash as a result of historically they have been extra fascinated with ladies's soccer."

Within the U.S., British soccer has a rising viewers, with as many as 40 million followers, with many watching on CBS, says Ben Wright, chief business officer for the English Soccer League — which covers each England and Wales. Wright mentioned curiosity in soccer in America grew noticeably throughout the pandemic. "It felt like … as a result of individuals could not exit and about globally, they have been watching much more," Wright mentioned.

In the meantime, Lionel Messi, the Argentinian who many contemplate the best soccer participant of all time, performs for the American Main League Soccer crew Inter Miami. On high of that, subsequent summer time's World Cup is being held collectively by the USA, Canada and Mexico, which consultants hope will solely develop the game.

<img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4870x3247+0+0/resize/1100/quality/50/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F78%2F18898daa4a5c922fb113490f54f0%2Fap25236419452438.jpg" data-template="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4870x3247+0+0/resize/{width}/quality/{quality}/format/{format}/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F41%2F78%2F18898daa4a5c922fb113490f54f0%2Fap25236419452438.jpg" class="img" alt="AFC Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier in action during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Bournemouth, England, on Aug. 23, 2025." loading="lazy"/> AFC Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier in motion throughout the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Bournemouth, England, on Aug. 23, 2025. Sean Ryan/AP conceal caption

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Sean Ryan/AP Some soccer followers again in Britain worry that American house owners would possibly wish to make modifications to their league, equivalent to taking part in league video games within the USA. However Bournemouth's enterprise supervisor Jim Frevola says that though he's aiming to develop his crew's fan base again within the USA, there are not any plans for main overhauls. "I feel there's possibly a false impression that American possession desires to institute [big changes]," Frevola mentioned. "I've heard loopy issues like all-star video games. That is by no means going to occur."

In a pub close to Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium, most followers are in favor of their American proprietor Invoice Foley. Supporter Ceri Morgan mentioned that though the marginally elevated ticket costs have been a disadvantage, the funding is evident to see. "The stadium seems to be so much smarter now and we're getting an elevated capability subsequent season," he mentioned. His fellow life-long fan Dom Webb agreed. "It has been unimaginable. … We have got actually stable foundations now, and it feels just like the sky is the restrict," he mentioned.