The American Invasion of English Football: A New Chapter?
Imagine a meeting where Tom Brady, Snoop Dogg, Rob Mac, and Ryan Reynolds converge, and where Joel Glazer, Stan Kroenke, and John W Henry are also present. This scene, which seems taken from a movie, could be a reality in the next Premier League meetings.
The landscape of English football is undergoing a seismic transformation, driven by the increasing presence of American investors. Football, especially on English soil, has become a coveted asset, and American owners are leading this new era.
In May 2005, the acquisition of Manchester United by Malcolm Glazer, a New York billionaire, marked a milestone as the first American owner in the Premier League. Two decades later, American influence has grown exponentially. Today, 11 Premier League clubs have a majority of American ownership, with prominent figures, families, and private equity groups at the helm. In the EFL Championship, the second division and development league of the Premier League, the American presence is also notable, with nine clubs under the majority control of companies or individuals from the United States, including Wrexham.In the image: In addition to the Glazer family at Manchester United and FSG at Liverpool, a large number of celebrities and American capital have arrived in English football.Of the 20 Premier League clubs, only three, Brentford, Brighton and Tottenham Hotspur, are exclusively owned by English individuals or groups. The most successful clubs in the history of English football, Liverpool (Fenway Sports Group), Manchester United (Glazer family), Arsenal (Kroenke Sports & Entertainment – KSE) and Chelsea (Clearlake Capital / Todd Boehly), are mostly in American hands. Other clubs such as Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham and Leeds United also have American investment, with participation from sports and Hollywood stars.
Even Manchester City has American investment, although Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi is the majority owner, Silver Lake, an American private equity group, owns an 18% stake in the club. Outside of the three English-owned clubs, five others, Newcastle United (Saudi Arabia), Nottingham Forest (Greece), Wolves (China), West Ham (UK / Czech Republic), and Sunderland (France / Switzerland / Uruguay), do not have American ownership stakes.
In the EFL, American influence is equally notable. Figures like Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham have gained notoriety, but there are many other clubs with American owners in the second division.
Snoop Dogg became a co-owner of Swansea City, while NFL legend Tom Brady is part of the ownership group of Birmingham City. Other clubs such as Ipswich Town, Millwall, Norwich, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and West Brom are also under majority American ownership, totaling nine Championship clubs with a majority of American owners.
Why the American Interest?
The appeal for American investors is multifaceted: glamour, sporting excitement, ego, and the opportunity to obtain a significant return on investment. However, the main factor is financial.
“From an investment perspective, the history is compelling and Manchester United serves as an excellent example,” said Chris Mann, Head of Strategy and Sports Insights at Sportsology Group. “The Glazers acquired the club for around £800 million in 2005, and at the time of Ineos’ investment in February 2024, the total value of United’s enterprise exceeded £4 billion, a 400% increase in 20 years.”
Chris Mann, Head of Strategy and Sports Insights at Sportsology Group
The economic recovery in the United States, faster than in Europe, has generated a surplus of capital among investors, who are seeking opportunities in European sports, where prices can be more accessible than in the US market.
The acquisition of land is also an important factor. Arsenal sold the Emirates Stadium to Kroenke’s KSE group, which provided them with valuable property in a world-renowned city. The value of stadiums and the land on which they are built is considerable.
In addition to business opportunities, owning a Premier League team offers access to the lucrative entertainment industry. Investors see football as an investment in entertainment, with sports teams proving to be more resistant to recessions than other businesses.
The financial appeal of English football, and of Premier League teams in particular, is clear. However, there is also a romantic element.
The success of Wrexham, with Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, has generated a “halo effect”. Although not all American investors have the same approach, the Wrexham case has sparked the interest of some investors with backgrounds in the entertainment world.
How Do American Owners Affect Clubs?
According to a source, the approach of the American owners includes meetings with the community, promises of synergies, and a “light touch” approach. They also focus on improving the stadium facilities to attract the corporate market. They often operate from the United States, implementing their plans locally.
The acquisition of a Premier League team offers routes into the lucrative entertainment industry.
However, fans’ reactions vary depending on the team’s success. Liverpool, Birmingham, and Wrexham supporters have a positive view of American ownership, while Manchester United fans have protested against the Glazers.
Wrexham, with Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, has achieved consecutive promotions, and is now one step away from the Premier League.
In Liverpool, fans are generally satisfied with FSG, despite some criticism. The owners have provided unforgettable moments, including Premier League and Champions League titles.
The Glazers, on the other hand, have been unpopular with Manchester United fans due to the debt they have generated.
Manchester United fans have protested against the Glazers, arguing that they are “Americanizing” the game and prioritizing commercial interests over the fans’ passion.
Could American Owners Change the Premier League?
From a numerical perspective, American influence is on the rise. However, any major changes to the rules require the support of the majority of clubs. Although alliances have been formed in the past, there is no evidence that American owners are working to implement American-style regulations, such as salary caps or games abroad.
The tradition and passion of English fans remain an important factor, and American owners respect the heritage of English football.
American interest in English football is based on the possibility of significant profits, but as their presence and influence grow, the power of English football shifts westward across the Atlantic.
