If you are wondering which celebrities own sports teams, there are many famous actors, musicians, athletes and entertainers who have invested in professional sports franchises. Some are majority owners or controlling partners, while others own minority stakes as part of larger investment groups.
Celebrity sports ownership has become increasingly common because professional teams are valuable businesses as well as entertainment properties. Celebrities can bring publicity, marketing experience, global audiences and connections to a franchise.
Some of the best-known celebrity team owners include Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, David Beckham, Serena Williams, Patrick Mahomes, Magic Johnson, Will Ferrell, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, James Harden and Ciara and Russell Wilson.
However, it is important to distinguish between someone who owns a team outright and someone who owns only a small percentage of a franchise.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney
One of the most famous examples of celebrity sports ownership is the partnership between actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
The two Hollywood stars became controlling owners of Wrexham AFC, a Welsh soccer club, in 2021. Their takeover attracted worldwide attention, particularly after the club became the subject of the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham. Current ownership information continues to identify Reynolds and McElhenney as the club’s controlling owners, although other investors now have minority stakes.
Their ownership has been unusual because they have been highly visible in the club’s operations and marketing.
Wrexham’s rise through the English football pyramid also turned the club into a globally recognized sports story.
The partnership demonstrates how celebrity ownership can do more than provide capital. Reynolds and McElhenney have used their entertainment backgrounds to generate international attention for a club that previously had a much smaller global profile.
David Beckham
Former soccer superstar David Beckham is another prominent celebrity team owner.
Beckham is a co-owner of Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer. The club’s ownership group is led by Jorge Mas and Jose Mas, with Beckham as a co-owner. Inter Miami’s official materials continue to identify Beckham as part of the club’s ownership.
Beckham’s connection with Inter Miami dates back to the MLS expansion process that eventually brought a team to Miami.
His celebrity status has been particularly valuable because Beckham is one of the most recognizable soccer figures in the world. His involvement also helped give the new club an international profile.
The arrival of Lionel Messi further increased Inter Miami’s worldwide visibility, but Beckham’s ownership role existed before Messi joined the team.
Serena Williams
Tennis legend Serena Williams is part of the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, Canada’s first WNBA franchise.
The WNBA announced Williams’ ownership stake in March 2025. She joined the ownership group alongside Kilmer Sports Ventures chairman Larry Tanenbaum.
The Toronto Tempo began play in 2026, making Williams’ investment particularly significant in the growth of professional women’s basketball in Canada.
Williams has also been involved in the team’s identity and merchandise development. The WNBA said she would contribute to future jersey designs and merchandise collaborations.
The Tempo’s ownership group has since expanded. The WNBA reported in 2026 that NBA champion Kyle Lowry and his wife Ayahna Cornish-Lowry also joined the ownership group.
Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is one of the most active athlete-investors in professional sports.
Mahomes owns stakes in multiple sports organizations, including the Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Current.
Sporting Kansas City officially announced Mahomes as a member of its ownership group.
He also became an investor in the Kansas City Current. The team’s stadium organization identifies Mahomes as a co-owner and notes that he joined the Current ownership group in 2022.
Mahomes’ ownership interests illustrate how successful athletes can move from being sports employees to becoming sports investors.
Instead of earning money only from playing, an athlete can use that wealth to acquire equity in franchises and participate in the business side of sports.
Magic Johnson
Basketball legend Magic Johnson is another major sports investor.
Johnson is part of the ownership group of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and has ownership interests in other professional sports organizations.
LAFC’s official ownership information identifies Johnson as an owner. The club also notes that he is a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Sparks and esports organization Team Liquid.
Johnson’s sports-business portfolio demonstrates how celebrity ownership can extend across several leagues rather than being limited to the sport in which the celebrity originally became famous.
His career as an NBA player gave him a strong understanding of professional sports, while his business career helped him become a prominent investor.
Will Ferrell
Actor and comedian Will Ferrell is an owner of LAFC.
The club’s official ownership page lists Ferrell as an owner and identifies him as an actor, comedian, producer and writer.
Ferrell became a co-owner of LAFC in 2016. The club has regularly highlighted his involvement in its ownership group and community activities.
His investment is a good example of how entertainment personalities can become part of a team’s ownership group without being the controlling owner.
LAFC has a large ownership group containing people from sports, entertainment, technology and business.
Matthew McConaughey
Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey is an investor and owner in Austin FC, the MLS club based in Austin, Texas.
Austin FC’s official ownership information says McConaughey remains part of the club’s original investment group. He holds a minority, non-controlling interest rather than majority control of the franchise.
McConaughey’s involvement also fits naturally with the team’s geographic identity because he is strongly associated with Texas and Austin.
Celebrity owners can therefore provide a local connection as well as national or international publicity.
Kevin Durant
NBA superstar Kevin Durant has invested in professional soccer.
Durant became a minority owner of Philadelphia Union, acquiring a stake reported by Major League Soccer at 5 percent, with the possibility of increasing it.
Durant’s investment illustrates how active professional athletes can diversify their sports interests.
Although he became famous through basketball, his ownership interest is in soccer, allowing him to participate in a different professional sports market.
Dwyane Wade
NBA legend Dwyane Wade is another former athlete who has become a sports owner.
Wade is part of the ownership group of Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. MLS has identified Wade as a member of the club’s ownership group.
Wade also has an ownership interest in the Utah Jazz, giving him experience as an investor in both soccer and basketball.
His involvement shows that retired athletes can remain closely connected to professional sports through ownership rather than playing.
Ciara and Russell Wilson
Singer Ciara and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson have also invested in professional soccer.
They are members of the ownership group of Seattle Sounders FC. Major League Soccer has highlighted both celebrities as co-owners of the club.
The partnership brings together music, football and soccer.
Ciara’s entertainment career provides a connection with the music industry, while Wilson brings experience as a professional athlete.
James Harden
NBA star James Harden has also invested in professional soccer.
Harden is part of the ownership group of Houston Dynamo FC. Major League Soccer has identified Harden among the celebrity and athlete investors associated with the club.
For an NBA player, owning part of an MLS club provides an opportunity to participate in sports business outside basketball.
Harden’s investment is also geographically relevant because Houston is a major American sports market.
Lilly Singh
Canadian entertainer Lilly Singh is another celebrity connected to sports ownership.
Singh joined the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, the WNBA’s first Canadian franchise.
The team has described Singh as an owner and Chief Hype Officer. She has also been involved with the club’s public-facing identity and promotion.
Her involvement gives the franchise another strong connection to Canadian entertainment and popular culture.
Which celebrities own MLS teams?
Major League Soccer has attracted a particularly large number of celebrity investors.
Examples include:
| Celebrity | Team | Type of involvement |
|---|---|---|
| David Beckham | Inter Miami CF | Co-owner |
| Will Ferrell | LAFC | Owner |
| Magic Johnson | LAFC | Owner |
| Matthew McConaughey | Austin FC | Minority owner |
| Patrick Mahomes | Sporting Kansas City | Owner/investor |
| Kevin Durant | Philadelphia Union | Minority owner |
| Dwyane Wade | Real Salt Lake | Owner/investor |
| James Harden | Houston Dynamo FC | Owner/investor |
| Ciara | Seattle Sounders FC | Co-owner |
| Russell Wilson | Seattle Sounders FC | Co-owner |
MLS itself has promoted the league’s growing list of celebrity owners, including actors, musicians and professional athletes.
This makes soccer one of the most visible sports for celebrity ownership in North America.
Why do celebrities buy sports teams?
There are several reasons celebrities invest in sports.
Financial opportunity
Professional sports franchises can appreciate significantly over time.
A celebrity who buys a minority stake may benefit if the value of the franchise increases, although there is no guarantee that an investment will be profitable.
Personal passion
Many celebrity owners are genuine sports fans.
For former athletes such as Magic Johnson, Patrick Mahomes and Dwyane Wade, sports ownership can be a natural extension of their careers.
For actors and musicians, owning a team can provide a way to become involved in a sport they personally enjoy.
Business opportunities
Sports franchises generate revenue from media rights, sponsorships, tickets, merchandise, hospitality and other commercial activities.
Celebrities may also be able to contribute marketing, branding and entertainment expertise.
Community involvement
Sports teams are closely connected to their cities.
A celebrity owner can participate in community programs, charitable initiatives and youth sports projects while helping promote the team’s brand.
Do celebrity owners usually own the whole team?
No.
This is one of the most important points to understand about celebrity sports ownership.
Most celebrity owners do not own 100 percent of a professional team.
Large sports franchises can be worth billions of dollars, so ownership is often divided among multiple investors.
A celebrity might own a small percentage while a businessperson, investment group or family retains controlling ownership.
For example, Matthew McConaughey is part of Austin FC’s ownership group but does not control the club.
Similarly, Serena Williams is part of the Toronto Tempo ownership group, while Kilmer Sports Ventures controls the franchise.
The distinction between owner, co-owner, minority owner and controlling owner is therefore important.
Are celebrity-owned teams more successful?
Not necessarily.
Celebrity ownership can provide marketing power and publicity, but it does not automatically produce championships.
Sports performance still depends on player recruitment, coaching, management, scouting, development, finances and competition.
A celebrity owner’s biggest contribution may sometimes be outside the playing field.
For example, an entertainer can help increase a team’s visibility, while a former athlete may provide business connections and sports expertise.
The effect varies from team to team.
Why is celebrity ownership becoming more common?
Professional sports have increasingly become entertainment and media businesses as well as competitions.
A celebrity can bring millions of followers, media attention and commercial relationships to an ownership group.
Social media has also made celebrity owners more visible. Fans can see owners attending games, meeting players, participating in community events and promoting their teams.
This creates a closer relationship between entertainment culture and professional sports.
Women’s sports have also attracted significant celebrity investment. Serena Williams and other high-profile figures have become involved in women’s teams as the commercial opportunities in women’s sports continue to expand.
FAQ
which celebrities own sports teams?
Many celebrities own stakes in professional sports teams, including Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, David Beckham, Serena Williams, Patrick Mahomes, Magic Johnson, Will Ferrell, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, James Harden, Ciara and Russell Wilson.
Does Ryan Reynolds own a sports team?
Yes. Ryan Reynolds is a controlling owner of Wrexham AFC alongside Rob McElhenney. Other investors also hold minority interests in the club.
Does David Beckham own a sports team?
Yes. David Beckham is a co-owner of Inter Miami CF in Major League Soccer.
Does Serena Williams own a sports team?
Serena Williams is part of the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo, Canada’s WNBA team.
Does Patrick Mahomes own a sports team?
Patrick Mahomes owns stakes in several sports organizations, including the Kansas City Royals, Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Current.
Does Magic Johnson own sports teams?
Magic Johnson has ownership interests in multiple sports organizations, including LAFC, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Los Angeles Sparks and Team Liquid.
Do celebrities own entire sports teams?
Usually not. Many celebrities hold minority stakes in larger ownership groups. A few celebrity partnerships, such as Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s control of Wrexham, have given celebrities a much larger role.
Why do celebrities buy sports teams?
Celebrities may invest because they love sports, see long-term business potential, want to participate in their local communities or want to expand their business portfolios.
Conclusion
So, which celebrities own sports teams? There are now many famous actors, musicians, athletes and entertainers involved in professional sports ownership.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are among the most recognizable celebrity team owners through their controlling ownership of Wrexham AFC. David Beckham is a co-owner of Inter Miami, while Serena Williams is part of the ownership group of the Toronto Tempo. Patrick Mahomes has invested in several Kansas City sports teams, and Magic Johnson has built an extensive portfolio of sports ownership interests.
Other celebrity investors include Will Ferrell, Matthew McConaughey, Kevin Durant, Dwyane Wade, James Harden, Ciara, Russell Wilson and Lilly Singh.
The important thing to remember is that celebrity ownership does not always mean owning an entire franchise. In many cases, the celebrity owns a minority stake alongside wealthy individuals, businesses and investment groups.
As professional sports continue to grow as global entertainment and business properties, celebrity involvement in team ownership is likely to remain an important part of the sports industry.