From dominating on the pitch to now taking control in the boardroom, there is a growing number of footballers who are transitioning from players to owners. While many hang up their boots and go on to pursue coaching or punditry, others have chosen to make bolder moves, investing their wealth and football knowledge in owning clubs. Although this may often be seen as a move to attract headlines, many players bring a unique understanding of the game, with their long-term visions being aided by their own experiences of the game.
Why Are So Many Footballers Buying Football Clubs?
Although it was a relatively novel idea in the past, the concept of footballers owning the clubs has become a trend in recent years. As many players have earned substantial fortunes during their playing careers, the role of ownership presents a mix of investment entwined with a personal passion for the sport itself. Unlike owning another business, taking control of a club has allowed players to stay deeply involved in the game that they know so well.
In addition to this, ownership has also given footballers the chance to give back to the game they love so much. Whether this be revitalising a grassroots team, booting clubs in their hometowns, or even saving struggling sides from financial issues, footballers commonly contribute to such causes after calling it a day on the field. What’s more, thanks to their name recognition, this helps them to attract sponsors, media attention and fans, something which can help propel smaller clubs, especially, to greater heights.
David Beckham
When talking about football owners, it would be impossible not to start with David Beckham, who has become a true pioneer in the space. The former captain of England and global icon of the sport is the co-owner of Inter Miami in the MLS, with this top-tier North American team being based out in Florida.
Although the team was only founded in 2020, Beckham’s involvement in the MLS dates back to 2007, when he joined the LA Galaxy. Besides becoming one of the best-paid and most famous players in the league’s history, he also negotiated a clause into his contract allowing him to purchase an expansion team in Major League Soccer at a fixed price. In 2014, he exercised this option, and after years of negotiations and overall planning, Inter Miami went on to play their first game in 2020.
Since then, Beckham has been overseeing the club’s development, in addition to his many other endeavours, including a perfume brand and appearances on live game shows. He has brought in a whole host of big names, most notably one of the greatest players of all time, Lionel Messi. This move alone has shaped the clubs’ culture and propelled the league to new heights, with Beckham’s influence also being able to attract other Barcelona icons such as Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, amongst other global names like Gonzalo Higuain and former MLS top scorer Josef Martinez. Beyond the clear branding influence he has for the club, Beckham has become a figurehead who is actively involved in making decisions at this Florida-based side.
Ronaldo Nazario
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner and Brazilian icon of the game, Ronaldo Nazario, is another legend who has since moved into the ownership scene, becoming the majority owner of Real Valladolid in 2018. At the time, the Spanish club was in La Liga, with the prolific forward investing €30 million to acquire a controlling stake in the club. It is not just the Spanish side which he has taken the reins at, either, also expanding his portfolio of clubs by becoming the majority owner of Brazilian side Cruzeiro in 2021. This was the club where Ronaldo Nazario actually started his career, with his club adopting philosophies that prioritise and improve youth development and international outreach at the same time.
Didier Drogba
All-time top scorer for the Ivory Coast, Didier Drogba, took a different route to football ownership, however, compared to the other two names we have mentioned, becoming a co-owner and player of Phoenix Rising FC in 2017. Although this team is also situated in America like Beckham’s Inter Miami, Phoenix actually competes in the second tier of American football, that being the United Soccer League. Even with Drogba’s playing career in the States being a brief one, he still managed to score 17 goals in 26 games for the side, with his influence and co-ownership enduring since he retired from the team in 2019.
Today, Drogba still owns a minority share in the club, and he has pushed for them to join the MLS. Despite these attempts being unsuccessful, the hope for the Phoenix Rising becoming an expansion team in the MLS top flight still remains, especially with there being rumours of a new relegation and promotion system being introduced in the coming years.
Thierry Henry & Cesc Fàbregas
Back in 2022, Arsenal legend and all-time Premier League great, Thierry Henry, became a stakeholder in Italian side Como, a side that was in the Serie B at the time, Italy’s second division. However, fast-forward two years, the picturesque city now sees its side play in the Serie A, with Henry’s former teammate, Cesc Fabregas, as the manager. Fabregas is another stakeholder of the side, with him aiding the team in achieving their goals of becoming a top-flight side.
With the backing of the richest club owners in Italian football, the two stakeholders have managed to attract big names when compared to their relative infancy in the top division. Fabregas especially has utilised his Spanish influence to bring in players, such as Pepe Reina, Sergi Roberto and Alberto Moreno, with other talents like Andrea Bellot, Jonathan Ikone and Dele Alli also joining the Como squad, which has the aim of becoming a stalwart in the Serie A.