Why American investors are buying British soccer clubs
Premier League U.S. ownership is rising as investors target growth and brands See why American buyers keep pouring into British clubs and the returns they expect
American ownership of Premier League clubs has grown steadily, with 11 of the league’s 20 teams now under U.S. control. The trend is extending beyond major teams as celebrities and investors from the United States take stakes in clubs across different levels of British soccer.
The article says one reason for the interest is that many clubs have been run with limited focus on revenue growth, creating room for new owners to improve operations and commercial performance. At the same time, elite clubs are scarce assets with strong global brands and long histories, which can support high valuations.
Fenway Sports Group’s planned sale of a minority stake in Liverpool highlights the scale of returns possible in the market. CNBC also notes that Premier League broadcast income remains a major part of club finances, although rising revenues do not always translate into strong stock performance for publicly listed teams.