Topics: Premier League, Bournemouth, Football, MLS, Wilfried Zaha
The news about YouTuber KSI and his decision to buy a minority stake in non-league side Dagenham & Redbridge has got us thinking – which other celebrities have invested in football clubs?
On Tuesday afternoon, KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, announced that he wants to do the "unthinkable" and take National League South side Dagenham to the Premier League.
"It's obviously going to take time," he said. "We need to improve the team, have some additions to really take it to another level. I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure we succeed. I'm just ready to get started."
It has been a busy period in the world of club ownership. Last week, Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a 25 per cent stake in Spanish second-tier side Almería, with the investment being made through his company CR7 Sports.
Advert
The exact value of Ronaldo's stake has not been disclosed, but the move is deemed to be a long-term strategic investment from the 41-year-old, who has previously opened up about his desire to become an owner.
Naturally, KSI and Cristiano Ronaldo have made headlines for splashing the cash, but what about the celebrity owners who have gone 'under the radar' in recent years?
Back in 2024, Canadian rapper Drake became an investor of Serie B side Venezia, alongside a group of international investors, including global sports-focused firm APEX Capital.
He is credited with helping save the Italian club from going bankrupt.
Matte Babel, a member of Drake's management team, received a call from Venezia co-owner Brad Katsuyama, who explained that the club needed to raise an initial €10 million and a further €30 million to avoid bankruptcy.
"Venice is an incredible city and Venezia has always been a special club," Babel said. "I spoke to Drake, then Brad and I discussed the details of how we could help. Within two weeks we had a deal, raised the money needed to pay the salaries and avoid bankruptcy."
McConaughey became a minority owner and investor in Major League Soccer side Austin FC after joining the club's ownership group in August 2019.
The actor, whose roles include starring in Interstellar and The Gentlemen, was a keen footballer growing up and played as a goalkeeper for more than a decade.
Speaking about his investment at the time, McConaughey said: "Austin FC is more than a quality investment for Austin, it's a quality investment in Austin. The most diverse and borderless game in the world is now coming to one of the most multicultural, creative and diverse cities in the world."
McConaughey added: "Austin FC is a healthy investment in our city's culture and future."
Since 2023, non-league side AFC Croydon Athletic have been owned by Wilfried Zaha, Stormzy and former Crystal Palace head of care Danny Young.
Croydon said at the time that the three-man consortium “will own, operate and develop their childhood hometown football club”.
A year after taking over and then-club captain Brandon Pierrick gave an insight into their involvement.
"Wilf and Stormzy don't just stand on the sidelines and watch," he said. "They come into the dressing room and are part of the squad and the camaraderie."
Back in 2016, Hollywood actor Will Ferrell was named as a co-owner of Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC alongside former NBA player Magic Johnson.
Speaking about his decision to invest in LAFC, he said: “Believe it or not, one of the members of the ownership group is a fellow dad and our kids go to the same school.
"And he sent me an email saying ‘Hey, I don’t know if this would be interesting to you. We’re forming this ownership group and I know you played soccer.' And I was talking to my wife and I said ‘This would be fantastic'."
He also became a minority stakeholder in Premier League side Leeds United in May 2024, after falling in love with English football.
Little Mix's Jade Thirlwall became a shareholder at hometown club South Shields FC in 2020 and joined 750 other shareholders as the club took its first steps towards fan ownership.
She was also named as honorary president, with the club saying it would increase its profile "on a national and international scale, further putting the town on the map".
“South Shields FC is a great club with a rich history," said Thirlwall in 2024.
"Coming from South Shields and seeing the sense of community the club brings, I have a strong emotional connection to South Shields FC. My hometown and the club will always be special to me and I am proud to represent them.”
Creed actor Michael B. Jordan became a minority stakeholder in Bournemouth in December 2022 as part of a consortium led by American businessman Bill Foley.
Shortly after the news was announced, Jordan attended Bournemouth's clash against Crystal Palace.
He has since been involved in international marketing and branding, and even designed a special edition kit in 2024.
"I saw a team with a lot of potential and a lot of growth and I love their story," Jordan told TST last year.
"I love the team's history so [it is great] to be able to be a part of that new storytelling and give the team some new energy with Bill Foley. He is a great partner and he has that win-by-any-means necessary attitude."
Former Arsenal and Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil owns shares in Mexican football club Necaxa as part of an ownership deal which includes other celebrity shareholders, including actress Eva Longoria and model Kate Upton.
Odell Beckham Jr., Justin Verlander, Victor Oladipo, Bode Miller, Richard Hamilton and Shawn Marion are also involved alongside Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The club have brought in several high-profile names as part of a strategy to grow the club's brand internationally.
