Most people enjoy sports because they love the game, but some of the richest celebrities in the world are watching to keep an eye on their money.
Sports teams are actually a fantastic investment; The average NFL team is worth a whopping $5.14 billion, and the entire NBA is valued at $90 billion. And these nine wildly rich celebrities decided to get in on the action and buy a piece of one of your favorite teams.
LeBron James (Liverpool FC)
LeBron James is certainly synonymous with the NBA as one of the best basketball players of all time. But in his free time, James loves to watch soccer or football, as the British would say.
So James decided to spend $6.5 million for a 2% stake in Liverpool FC from England for both the love of the game and, of course, the financial gain. And it definitely worked out for him; according to Forbes, his shares are now worth $44 million!
Jennifer Garner (Angel City)
Famous actress Jennifer Garner made her millions in Hollywood, and she decided to invest some of that fortune in the National Women’s Soccer League by buying shares in Angel City FC.
Other actresses, such as Eva Longoria and Natalie Portman, have also invested in the league, and they have even used their money to start a charity foundation that encourages youth engagement through sports and education.
Justin Timberlake (Memphis Grizzlies)
Although Justin Timberlake is known for being a huge Lakers fan, he also has a soft spot for the Memphis Grizzlies after growing up in Tennessee.
As one of the most successful actors and singers in Hollywood, Justin Timberlake decided to invest $5 million of his fortune to get a 2.84% ownership in the Grizzlies and goes to games whenever he’s home visiting family.
Jay-Z (Brooklyn Nets)
Rapper, businessman, and husband to the one and only Beyonce, Jay-Z is certainly one of the richest men in the entertainment business.
So he decided to invest $1 million in the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA in 2004. Though the superstar has since sold his shares for $2.5 million (that’s a $1.5 million profit), Jay-Z remains a huge supporter of the team and his hometown and attends games every season.
Will Ferrell (LA FC)
Comedic genius Will Ferrell got invested in the Los Angeles Football Club partially for financial gain but mostly because he simply loved the game and wanted to support it.
The actor told ESPN, “I just love watching the fact that it’s played all over the world. So many amazing players and so many top-flight leagues. And hopefully, MLS can be on par, eventually, with the European leagues.”
Bill Maher (New York Mets)
In 2012, the beloved New York Mets were in trouble after some bad investments, so they reached out to their fans looking for anyone who might want to invest.
Luckily, Bill Maher, a famous TV host and long-time Mets fan, jumped at the opportunity and invested an incredible $20 million in the baseball team.
Fergie (Miami Dolphins)
Fergie, who once sang for the Black Eyed Peas and has since had a wildly successful solo career, decided to become a minority shareholder for the Miami Dolphins in 2009. She is a huge fan and even sings the national anthem at many of their games.
And the singer is not the only celebrity supporting the Dolphins; Marc Anthony, Serena Williams, and Jimmy Buffet have also invested heavily.
Paul Allen (Portland Trail Blazers)
Co-creator of Microsoft, Paul Allen, had more money than he could ever spend. So he decided to use his billions to buy an entire NBA team.
For $70 million, he bought the Portland Trail Blazers several years ago, and Allen remained not only an owner but a true fan for the rest of his life. After he passed away in 2018, he left the team to his sister, who will certainly make a fortune if she ever decides to sell.
Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks)
For decades, Mark Cuban has been making some seriously profitable investments. The Shark Tank billionaire is known for his savvy decisions with money, so it’s no surprise that he invested in an NBA team.
But Cuban isn’t just a minority shareholder; he bought the entire team for an almost unbelievable $285 million ($431 million today if you consider inflation) back in 2000, and he still owns them today.
