For many years, the ownership of sports teams was the preserve of super rich individuals who were either incredibly successful business people or born into wealth. However, the commercialization of sport and generation of vast revenues through TV deals and marketing has changed everything. Today, the face of traditional team ownership is a combination of super-rich, consortiums, celebrities, and sports stars.
David Beckham
The former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and PSG footballer is a global sports icon and astute businessman. When the England international moved to L.A. Galaxy in 2007, he cleverly negotiated a unique contract provision which gave him the option of buying an MLS expansion franchise in any market except New York City for $25 million. A deal that had never been offered ever before
In 2014, Beckham exercised his option and duly became a co-owner of Inter Miami FC with billionaire brothers Jorge and Jose Ma. Aiming to tap into the city’s soccer-loving Latino demographic, hopes were high, but early setbacks over the stadium location and ownership structure hindered progress.
In 2020, Inter Miami played its inaugural MLS season with money splashed on big name signings such as Gonzalo Higuaín from Real Madrid, but it wasn’t until the arrival of Lionel Messi that things really began to take off. In December, 2025, Inter Miami finally won its first silverware, claiming the MLS Cup Championship, while off the pitch Messi’s signing has seen the team’s valuation pass $1 billion.
Tom Brady
It’s no surprise that the seven-time Super Bowl winner became a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders back in 2024. The legendary quarterback was always going to want to stay involved in the game he dominated and loves. However, his stake in English football club Birmingham City, was not quite so obvious.
Tom Brady’s arrival as a minority owner has brought renewed attention to the Las Vegas Raiders, but turning the franchise into a genuine contender remains a long-term project. The team continues to face stiff competition in the AFC, where several established powers are expected to challenge for the Super Bowl. That reality is reflected in the latest DraftKings NFL Markets, where Brady’s Raiders are not currently viewed among the leading championship contenders. The same can’t be said of Birmingham City, however. Despite early on-field setbacks, the Championship club have gone from strength to strength thanks to the investment Brady and his co-investors have made, and they are now among the favourites for promotion to the Premier League.
In 2023, Brady bought a minority stake through a partnership with US-based Knighthead Capital Management LLC. He serves as the chairman of the club’s advisory board and advises on health and nutrition, as well as being a figurehead for the teams global marketing efforts.
Commercially, the venture has been a success, sponsors such as Nike, Heineken, and Delta Airlines have been brough it, while Amazon aired a five-part documentary about Brady’s involvement with the team. Significantly, plans were recently unveiled to build a $3.2 billion, 62,000-seat stadium and entertainment destination.
Lewis Hamilton
In August 2022, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton announced that he had joined the consortium that had purchased the Denver Bronco’s in a deal worth $4.65bn; the most expensive deal for a sports franchise.
Along with other names such as Condoleezza Rice, Hamilton invested as a minority owner alongside the Walton-Penner family, led by Walmart heir Rob Walton. The Ferrari team driver claimed his investment in the Bronco’s was not purely financial, and that he hoped his role would help promote diversity and increase Black representation in NFL ownership.
Since the takeover the Broncos have seen a turnaround in their on-field fortunes, culminating in last year’s sensational 33–30 OT victory against the Bills in the Divisional Playoffs. Off the field, the substantial increase in NFL TV revenues has seen NFL franchise valuations soar even higher.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
One of the most famous and successful celebrity takeovers was the 2020 purchase of Wrexham A.F.C. by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. At the time, the Welsh football team had languished in the 5th league of the English football pyramid for 15 years, and they did not even own their own ground.
Despite lacking any real football or ownership knowledge, plus considerable skepticism from fans who’d been let down by previous owners, the duo has proved to be an unprecedented success. On the pitch, Wrexham quickly achieved three thrilling promotions in a row and were agonizingly close to the securing a place in the play offs and a spot in the Premier League last season.
Off the pitch, takeover has completely transformed not only the club but the entire area. The hugely popular Emmy award-winning documentary series “Welcome to Wrexham” garnered the club a huge international following. Blue-chip corporate sponsorships, sold-out merchandise, and legions of international fans visiting the stadium soon followed.
Since the initial $2.5 million takeover, minority stakes have been sold to investors such as the Allyn family and Apollo Sports Capital, and the club is now valued at around $475 million, turning the Wrexham story into a Hollywood blockbuster both on and off the pitch.
