01of 18Natalie Portman: Angel City Football ClubWith the U.S. National Women’s Team being absolutely unstoppable on the world stage, Natalie Portman saw a great opportunity to help launch a competitive women’s soccer team stateside. She helped cofound the team alongside women’s soccer legend Julie Foudy,Reddit cofounder (and Mr. Serena Williams)Alexis Ohanian, and actressesUzo Aduba,America Ferrera,Jennifer Garner, Eva LongoriaandLilly Singh.Many morenoteworthy women have since signed on, and their A-list investors continue to bring attention to the newly-formed club — includingGarner handing out orange slices in the ultimate soccer mom move."[We want to] expand those sports heroes — and those sports modeling behaviors — to have women in those positions, too,“Portman told PEOPLE of her decision to spearhead the initiative. “To celebrate women at the same level as the way we celebrate male athletes is culture-shifting.”
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Natalie Portman: Angel City Football Club
With the U.S. National Women’s Team being absolutely unstoppable on the world stage, Natalie Portman saw a great opportunity to help launch a competitive women’s soccer team stateside. She helped cofound the team alongside women’s soccer legend Julie Foudy,Reddit cofounder (and Mr. Serena Williams)Alexis Ohanian, and actressesUzo Aduba,America Ferrera,Jennifer Garner, Eva LongoriaandLilly Singh.
Many morenoteworthy women have since signed on, and their A-list investors continue to bring attention to the newly-formed club — includingGarner handing out orange slices in the ultimate soccer mom move.
“[We want to] expand those sports heroes — and those sports modeling behaviors — to have women in those positions, too,“Portman told PEOPLE of her decision to spearhead the initiative. “To celebrate women at the same level as the way we celebrate male athletes is culture-shifting.”
02of 18Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElHenney: Wrexham AFCRyan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney.getty (2)ReynoldsandMcElhenneybought the English National League team back in 2020 and to quell the curiosities of many fans who were askingwhythe two stars would embark on such an undertaking, theyreleased a documentary chronicling the entire process.At the time of purchase, Wrexham was at the bottom of the National League but may have gotten a boost of confidence as they managed to finish second the following year and even reached the FA trophy finals, reportsEsquire.
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Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElHenney: Wrexham AFC
Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney.getty (2)
ReynoldsandMcElhenneybought the English National League team back in 2020 and to quell the curiosities of many fans who were askingwhythe two stars would embark on such an undertaking, theyreleased a documentary chronicling the entire process.
At the time of purchase, Wrexham was at the bottom of the National League but may have gotten a boost of confidence as they managed to finish second the following year and even reached the FA trophy finals, reportsEsquire.
03of 18LeBron James: Boston Red SoxEthan Miller/Getty ImagesThough terms of the deal were kept under the radar, NBA superstarLebron Jamesand his business partner Maverick Carter became partners in the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) andacquired minority stake ownershipin the Boston Red Sox in March 2021.But this was hardly his first foray into sports ownership with FSG. The four-time NBA Championbought a two percent stake in the soccer team Liverpool F.C.back in 2011. However, he relinquished those shares for ownership in FSG instead.
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LeBron James: Boston Red Sox
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Though terms of the deal were kept under the radar, NBA superstarLebron Jamesand his business partner Maverick Carter became partners in the Fenway Sports Group (FSG) andacquired minority stake ownershipin the Boston Red Sox in March 2021.
But this was hardly his first foray into sports ownership with FSG. The four-time NBA Championbought a two percent stake in the soccer team Liverpool F.C.back in 2011. However, he relinquished those shares for ownership in FSG instead.
04of 18David Beckham: Inter Miami CF & Salford CityGareth Fuller - WPA Pool/GettyShortly after retiring in 2013, soccer legendDavid Beckhambegan talks to become part owner of an MLS team to be launched in Miami. After a long and arduous process that lasted several years, Inter Miami CF made its debut in 2020 with Beckham as minority stakeholder.That changed in 2021, however, when Beckham—along with brothers Jorge and Jose Mas—bought out former co-owners Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son and became majority stakeholders of the team,reports ESPN.But his soccer team ownership is not just stateside. In 2019, the former Manchester United midfielder also acquired a 10 percent stake in Salford City F.C. which is based in the U.K.
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David Beckham: Inter Miami CF & Salford City
Gareth Fuller - WPA Pool/Getty
Shortly after retiring in 2013, soccer legendDavid Beckhambegan talks to become part owner of an MLS team to be launched in Miami. After a long and arduous process that lasted several years, Inter Miami CF made its debut in 2020 with Beckham as minority stakeholder.
That changed in 2021, however, when Beckham—along with brothers Jorge and Jose Mas—bought out former co-owners Marcelo Claure and Masayoshi Son and became majority stakeholders of the team,reports ESPN.
But his soccer team ownership is not just stateside. In 2019, the former Manchester United midfielder also acquired a 10 percent stake in Salford City F.C. which is based in the U.K.
05of 18Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Campobasso 1919 and Ascoli FCCampobasso 1919Kelly RipaandMark Consuelosannounced in Nov. 2022 that they are investing in two Italian soccer teams, Campobasso 1919 andAscoli FC, and will take on a co-ownership role with Campobasso to help it return to success in the Italian soccer league.Consuelostold PEOPLE the team’s “underdog” statusis part of why the couple wanted to get involved. “When I heard the story about these fans being at risk of losing the sport they love, Kelly and I wanted to get involved and be part of the solution,” he said.
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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Campobasso 1919 and Ascoli FC
Campobasso 1919
Kelly RipaandMark Consuelosannounced in Nov. 2022 that they are investing in two Italian soccer teams, Campobasso 1919 andAscoli FC, and will take on a co-ownership role with Campobasso to help it return to success in the Italian soccer league.
Consuelostold PEOPLE the team’s “underdog” statusis part of why the couple wanted to get involved. “When I heard the story about these fans being at risk of losing the sport they love, Kelly and I wanted to get involved and be part of the solution,” he said.
06of 18Tom Brady: Unnamed Pickleball TeamGotham/GCTom Bradyhas plenty of accomplishments: Seven-time Superbowl champion, great businessman, father of three and, as of Oct. 2022,part owner of a pickleball team.That’s right, the Buccaneers quarterback signed on to be “part of an ownership group of an expansion team that will begin play in the 2023 MLP season,” reportsFront Office Sports. Also on that list of owners is six-time Grand Slam tennis champKim Clijsters.“Look, I’ve been trying to find a way to extend my professional sports career, in my 40s, even into my 50s, 60s, 70s! As long as I can, right? And I think I got the answer,” he joked in anInstagram video making the announcement. “Seems like everyone else has the answer too: pickleball!”
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Tom Brady: Unnamed Pickleball Team
Gotham/GC
Tom Bradyhas plenty of accomplishments: Seven-time Superbowl champion, great businessman, father of three and, as of Oct. 2022,part owner of a pickleball team.
That’s right, the Buccaneers quarterback signed on to be “part of an ownership group of an expansion team that will begin play in the 2023 MLP season,” reportsFront Office Sports. Also on that list of owners is six-time Grand Slam tennis champKim Clijsters.
“Look, I’ve been trying to find a way to extend my professional sports career, in my 40s, even into my 50s, 60s, 70s! As long as I can, right? And I think I got the answer,” he joked in anInstagram video making the announcement. “Seems like everyone else has the answer too: pickleball!”
07of 18Michael B. Jordan: AFC BournemouthMichael B. Jordan.GettyHe may know his way around the boxing arena, but in real life,theCreedactor is a minority investor of the English soccer team AFC Bournemouth. Though percentages and dollar amounts were not revealed, the Premier League announced that American businessman Bill Foley led the acquisition deal as majority leader while Jordan led the minority group to acquire the team,per ESPN.
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Michael B. Jordan: AFC Bournemouth
Michael B. Jordan.Getty
He may know his way around the boxing arena, but in real life,theCreedactor is a minority investor of the English soccer team AFC Bournemouth. Though percentages and dollar amounts were not revealed, the Premier League announced that American businessman Bill Foley led the acquisition deal as majority leader while Jordan led the minority group to acquire the team,per ESPN.
08of 18Alex Rodriguez: Minnesota TimberwolvesMichael Loccisano/GettyIn 2021,Rodriguezjoined the NBA as part owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and its WNBA counterpart, the Minnesota Lynx.The deal was first reached in spring of 2021 with Rodriguez and entrepreneur Marc Lore agreeing to buy out former owner Glen Taylor for a whopping $1.5 billion.According to NBA.com, Rodriguez and Lore began the process with an initial transfer of 20 percent stake in 2021 and they have the option to buy another 20 percent in 2022 plus another 40 percent in 2023 to hold the majority.
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Alex Rodriguez: Minnesota Timberwolves
Michael Loccisano/Getty
In 2021,Rodriguezjoined the NBA as part owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves and its WNBA counterpart, the Minnesota Lynx.
The deal was first reached in spring of 2021 with Rodriguez and entrepreneur Marc Lore agreeing to buy out former owner Glen Taylor for a whopping $1.5 billion.According to NBA.com, Rodriguez and Lore began the process with an initial transfer of 20 percent stake in 2021 and they have the option to buy another 20 percent in 2022 plus another 40 percent in 2023 to hold the majority.
09of 18Marc Anthony: Miami DolphinsNoam Galai/GettyMarc Anthonyhas been in the ownership business for over a decade as the “Vivir Mi Vida” singer acquired minority stake ownership of the Miami Dolphins back in 2009.“I’m a huge sports fan,” theking of Salsa told PEOPLE at the time. “These opportunities don’t come around too often. It’s quite an honor and a privilege to be able to sit here today saying that I’m a part-owner of an NFL team.“Other celebrity minority owners include Fergie, Gloria and Emilio Estefan as well as Venus andSerena Williams.
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Marc Anthony: Miami Dolphins
Noam Galai/Getty
Marc Anthonyhas been in the ownership business for over a decade as the “Vivir Mi Vida” singer acquired minority stake ownership of the Miami Dolphins back in 2009.
“I’m a huge sports fan,” theking of Salsa told PEOPLE at the time. “These opportunities don’t come around too often. It’s quite an honor and a privilege to be able to sit here today saying that I’m a part-owner of an NFL team.”
Other celebrity minority owners include Fergie, Gloria and Emilio Estefan as well as Venus andSerena Williams.
10of 18Michael Jordan: Charlotte HornetsFRANCK FIFE/AFP via GettyMichael Jordan’s dedication to the game of basketball is world- renowned, so it’s no surprise that the NBA legend owns a team of his own. The six-time NBA champion purchased the Charlotte Hornets (then Bobcats) for a cool $275 million back in 2010.According toESPN, Jordan had been serving as minority investor since 2006, but the purchase gave him majority stake and the title of becoming the first ex-player in the league to have done so.
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Michael Jordan: Charlotte Hornets
FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty
Michael Jordan’s dedication to the game of basketball is world- renowned, so it’s no surprise that the NBA legend owns a team of his own. The six-time NBA champion purchased the Charlotte Hornets (then Bobcats) for a cool $275 million back in 2010.
According toESPN, Jordan had been serving as minority investor since 2006, but the purchase gave him majority stake and the title of becoming the first ex-player in the league to have done so.
11of 18Usher: Cleveland CavaliersUsher.Ian West/PA Images via GettyWhen the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship in 2016, so many people were curious as to whythe singerwas so thrilled, especially because he is famously from Atlanta. It turns out, however, that the eight time Grammy award-winner is a minority owner in the Cavs.According to Forbes, Usherdoled out a cool $9 million for the Cavs back in 2005. This was around the same time the famed owner Dan Gilbert was acquiring the franchise.
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Usher: Cleveland Cavaliers
Usher.Ian West/PA Images via Getty
When the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship in 2016, so many people were curious as to whythe singerwas so thrilled, especially because he is famously from Atlanta. It turns out, however, that the eight time Grammy award-winner is a minority owner in the Cavs.
According to Forbes, Usherdoled out a cool $9 million for the Cavs back in 2005. This was around the same time the famed owner Dan Gilbert was acquiring the franchise.
12of 18NellyDavid Dow/NBAE via GettyAnother musician who got into the sports team ownership business early wasNelly(real name Cornell Haynes Jr.). The “Hot in Herre” rapper signed on to be minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) back in 2004. Financial terms of the deal were never disclosed nor was the stake percentage.“Of the many dreams that I have fulfilled in life, being an NBA owner is certainly one of the biggest achievements,“Nelly said at the time. “To be able to make this move with Bob Johnson and to be a part of the first-ever minority owned professional sports franchise in history is a great opportunity.”
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Nelly
David Dow/NBAE via Getty
Another musician who got into the sports team ownership business early wasNelly(real name Cornell Haynes Jr.). The “Hot in Herre” rapper signed on to be minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) back in 2004. Financial terms of the deal were never disclosed nor was the stake percentage.
“Of the many dreams that I have fulfilled in life, being an NBA owner is certainly one of the biggest achievements,“Nelly said at the time. “To be able to make this move with Bob Johnson and to be a part of the first-ever minority owned professional sports franchise in history is a great opportunity.”
13of 18Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith: Philadelphia 76-ersWill Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith at the 2022 Oscars.Emma McIntyre/Getty ImagesPhilly nativeWill Smithalong with wife,Jada Pinkett Smith, made a bid to beminority owners of his hometown NBA team,the 76ers, back in 2011.“There is nothing like — in all of entertainment — than to walk into the building when it’s announced that you’re a part owner of your hometown basketball team,” Smith saidduring an appearance onJimmy Kimmel Livein 2016. “If the team doesn’t win, it sucks later. But initially it’s like ‘Yeahhh, Will!”
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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith: Philadelphia 76-ers
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith at the 2022 Oscars.Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Philly nativeWill Smithalong with wife,Jada Pinkett Smith, made a bid to beminority owners of his hometown NBA team,the 76ers, back in 2011.
“There is nothing like — in all of entertainment — than to walk into the building when it’s announced that you’re a part owner of your hometown basketball team,” Smith saidduring an appearance onJimmy Kimmel Livein 2016. “If the team doesn’t win, it sucks later. But initially it’s like ‘Yeahhh, Will!”
14of 18Justin Timberlake: Memphis GrizzliesJustin Timberlake.Christopher Polk/GettyThe Memphis-born"Sexy Back” singerbecame a minority stakeholder in the Memphis Grizzlies back in 2012. At the time, Robert Pera, a tech entrepreneur, was in talks to buy the team from long term owner Michael Heisley, and Timberlake decided to join as part of Pera’s team of minority partners,reports ESPN.According to theMemphis Flyer, the singer put in $5 million via his investment group, Tennman Sports, LLC, which gave him a 2.84 percent stake in the team.
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Justin Timberlake: Memphis Grizzlies
Justin Timberlake.Christopher Polk/Getty
The Memphis-born"Sexy Back” singerbecame a minority stakeholder in the Memphis Grizzlies back in 2012. At the time, Robert Pera, a tech entrepreneur, was in talks to buy the team from long term owner Michael Heisley, and Timberlake decided to join as part of Pera’s team of minority partners,reports ESPN.
According to theMemphis Flyer, the singer put in $5 million via his investment group, Tennman Sports, LLC, which gave him a 2.84 percent stake in the team.
15of 18Bill Murray: Hudson Valley Renegades, Charleston RiverDogs & Brockton RoxRich Fury/Getty ImagesHollywood iconBill Murrayloves minor league baseball. So much so that he owns three teams —the Hudson Valley Renegades, Charleston RiverDogs and the Brockton Rox. And while details of his ownership in each team are scarce, theGhostbusterslegend enthusiastically serves as the “director of fun” for the RiverDogs.
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Bill Murray: Hudson Valley Renegades, Charleston RiverDogs & Brockton Rox
Rich Fury/Getty Images
Hollywood iconBill Murrayloves minor league baseball. So much so that he owns three teams —the Hudson Valley Renegades, Charleston RiverDogs and the Brockton Rox. And while details of his ownership in each team are scarce, theGhostbusterslegend enthusiastically serves as the “director of fun” for the RiverDogs.
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Magic Johnson: L.A. Dodgers and L.A. Sparks
JC Olivera/WireImage
He may have stopped playing basketball in 1996, butMagic Johnson’s noteworthy sports career didn’t end on the court.
Two years later, when the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks were in trouble, Johnson againled a group of investors to claim stakes in the team, allowing them to not only stay in the league, but remain the L.A. home team.
17of 18Michelle Williams: Chicago SkyPrince Williams/WireimageWhen the WNBA launched their 14th team in 2006, the Chicago Sky, they also announced thatMichelle Williamswas aminority owner in the franchise. A native of Rockford, Illinois, the move made sense for the former Destiny’s Child singer.“I’m thrilled to have a stake in the WNBA as it expands into my hometown with the Chicago Sky,” Williams said at the time. “It’s great to be part of an organization such as the WNBA that is not only exciting and fun, but fosters a strong sense of empowerment in girls and women. I’m looking forward to being in the front row at Chicago Sky games and cheering them on to many championship seasons.”
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Michelle Williams: Chicago Sky
Prince Williams/Wireimage
When the WNBA launched their 14th team in 2006, the Chicago Sky, they also announced thatMichelle Williamswas aminority owner in the franchise. A native of Rockford, Illinois, the move made sense for the former Destiny’s Child singer.
“I’m thrilled to have a stake in the WNBA as it expands into my hometown with the Chicago Sky,” Williams said at the time. “It’s great to be part of an organization such as the WNBA that is not only exciting and fun, but fosters a strong sense of empowerment in girls and women. I’m looking forward to being in the front row at Chicago Sky games and cheering them on to many championship seasons.”
18of 18Giannis Antetokuompo: Milwaukee BrewersLISA O’CONNOR/AFPFresh off taking theMilwaukee Bucks to NBA Championship glory, the power forward bought an undisclosed stake in the MLB team Milwaukee Brewers.“This is a dream come true for a kid from Sepolia, Athens, Greece, born from immigrant parents,“Antetokounmpo said at a press conference. “I could have never imagined I would be in this position.“And there is no better place to invest than the state that’s given so much to him. “I just love Milwaukee,” Antetokounmpo said. “They found a diamond in the rough, in the dust. They believed in me, they trusted me, they embraced me. The city has loved me and my family and I want to give that love back now.”
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Giannis Antetokuompo: Milwaukee Brewers
LISA O’CONNOR/AFP
Fresh off taking theMilwaukee Bucks to NBA Championship glory, the power forward bought an undisclosed stake in the MLB team Milwaukee Brewers.
“This is a dream come true for a kid from Sepolia, Athens, Greece, born from immigrant parents,“Antetokounmpo said at a press conference. “I could have never imagined I would be in this position.”
And there is no better place to invest than the state that’s given so much to him. “I just love Milwaukee,” Antetokounmpo said. “They found a diamond in the rough, in the dust. They believed in me, they trusted me, they embraced me. The city has loved me and my family and I want to give that love back now.”
source: people.com
