• Former England football star David Beckham is the the president and co-owner of Major League Soccer team Inter Miami CF. Beckham had exercised his option to buy a MLS expansion team, which he had received as part of the contract he signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007. AFP
    Former England football star David Beckham is the the president and co-owner of Major League Soccer team Inter Miami CF. Beckham had exercised his option to buy a MLS expansion team, which he had received as part of the contract he signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007. AFP
  • NBA superstar LeBron James is a minority shareholder of Liverpool Football Club. In 2011, he received a two per cent stake in the club for about $6.5 million. Needless to say, that turned out to be a rock-solid investment. Getty
    NBA superstar LeBron James is a minority shareholder of Liverpool Football Club. In 2011, he received a two per cent stake in the club for about $6.5 million. Needless to say, that turned out to be a rock-solid investment. Getty
  • Singer and actor Justin Timberlake is a minority owner of NBA side Memphis Grizzlies. AFP
    Singer and actor Justin Timberlake is a minority owner of NBA side Memphis Grizzlies. AFP
  • In 2016, comedian and actor Will Ferrell grabbed the opportunity to invest in an MLS expansion team and he is now a part-owner of Los Angeles FC along with NBA legend Magic Johnson and women's football star Mia Hamm. AP
    In 2016, comedian and actor Will Ferrell grabbed the opportunity to invest in an MLS expansion team and he is now a part-owner of Los Angeles FC along with NBA legend Magic Johnson and women's football star Mia Hamm. AP
  • Jennifer Lopez, who was a minority owner of NFL side Miami Dolphins, and Alex Rodriguez have made a $1.7 billion (Dh6.2bn) bid to buy Major League Baseball side New York Mets. AFP
    Jennifer Lopez, who was a minority owner of NFL side Miami Dolphins, and Alex Rodriguez have made a $1.7 billion (Dh6.2bn) bid to buy Major League Baseball side New York Mets. AFP
  • Serena, left, and Venus Williams with their Miami Dolphins jerseys after it was announced the tennis stars had become minority owners of the NFL team in 2009. AP
    Serena, left, and Venus Williams with their Miami Dolphins jerseys after it was announced the tennis stars had become minority owners of the NFL team in 2009. AP
  • NBA legend Michael Jordan had a minority stake in the Charlotte Hornets. In 2010, Jordan bought a majority stake in the team, making him the first former NBA player to own a team. AFP
    NBA legend Michael Jordan had a minority stake in the Charlotte Hornets. In 2010, Jordan bought a majority stake in the team, making him the first former NBA player to own a team. AFP
  • Bollywood actress and Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta has been part of the Indian Premier League T20 tournament since its inception in 2008. AFP
    Bollywood actress and Kings XI Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta has been part of the Indian Premier League T20 tournament since its inception in 2008. AFP
  • Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan owns IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders and he has now created the Knight Riders franchise that owns a team in the Caribbean Premier League. AFP
    Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan owns IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders and he has now created the Knight Riders franchise that owns a team in the Caribbean Premier League. AFP
  • Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith acquired minority stakes in NBA side Philadelphia 76ers in 2011. AFP
    Hollywood power couple Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith acquired minority stakes in NBA side Philadelphia 76ers in 2011. AFP
  • Musician and Grammy award winner Usher is a member of an investment group that bought a stake in NBA side Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005. AFP
    Musician and Grammy award winner Usher is a member of an investment group that bought a stake in NBA side Cleveland Cavaliers in 2005. AFP
  • David Beckham, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville during the National League play-off final between Salford City and AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium in 2019. In 2014, Salford were taken over by former Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Gary, Phil, Scholes and Butt who bought 10 per cent of the club each. In 2019, Beckham purchased 10 per cent share in the club. Getty
    David Beckham, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville during the National League play-off final between Salford City and AFC Fylde at Wembley Stadium in 2019. In 2014, Salford were taken over by former Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Gary, Phil, Scholes and Butt who bought 10 per cent of the club each. In 2019, Beckham purchased 10 per cent share in the club. Getty
  • Lois Maynard of Salford City is congratulated by co-owner Ryan Giggs in 2018. Getty
    Lois Maynard of Salford City is congratulated by co-owner Ryan Giggs in 2018. Getty
  • Actor Russell Crowe is a majority owner of Australian rugby team South Sydney Rabbitohs. He has been a life-long supporter of the team. AFP
    Actor Russell Crowe is a majority owner of Australian rugby team South Sydney Rabbitohs. He has been a life-long supporter of the team. AFP
  • Singer Stacy Ferguson, better known as Fergie, is a minority owner of NFL side Miami Dolphins, along with a whole bunch A-list stars. AFP
    Singer Stacy Ferguson, better known as Fergie, is a minority owner of NFL side Miami Dolphins, along with a whole bunch A-list stars. AFP
  • Actor and comedian Drew Carey was one of the first American celebrities to get into 'soccer' team ownership when he bought a minority stake in MLS expansion side Seattle Sounders in 2007. AFP
    Actor and comedian Drew Carey was one of the first American celebrities to get into 'soccer' team ownership when he bought a minority stake in MLS expansion side Seattle Sounders in 2007. AFP
  • Hollywood legend Bill Murray is the co-owner of the St Paul Saints, an independent minor league baseball team in Minnesota. Getty
    Hollywood legend Bill Murray is the co-owner of the St Paul Saints, an independent minor league baseball team in Minnesota. Getty
  • Sweden's globe-trotting football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, centre, at a training session of Swedish football club Hammarby - a team he part owns. AFP
    Sweden's globe-trotting football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, centre, at a training session of Swedish football club Hammarby - a team he part owns. AFP
  • Comedian Bill Maher became a minority owner of MLB team New York Mets in 2012. "It's mostly an investment, an amazing investment. And an investment that everyone told me not to do back in 2011," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. AFP
    Comedian Bill Maher became a minority owner of MLB team New York Mets in 2012. "It's mostly an investment, an amazing investment. And an investment that everyone told me not to do back in 2011," he told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. AFP

Other Sport

Shah Rukh, Usher, Beckham, LeBron and other celebrity sports team owners - in pictures

We take a look at stars who have invested in top teams across the globe

Ajit Vijaykumar

July 15, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Owning a sports team is the domain of the ultra rich. Which is why many stars from the world of movies, music and sports have become minority and even majority owners of teams and franchises.

From A-list stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Russell Crow and Will Smith to sports greats like LeBron James and David Beckham, there is no shortage of celebrity sports team owners.

Above is a picture gallery of such star bosses. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if viewing on a mobile device.

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