There are a number of sports teams located around the world that have celebrity owners. Sports has always been a popular activity for many, therefore it does not come as a surprise that there are a number of global names who have brands that can afford to purchase and own these teams.
Indeed, when they have the money, it is one way in which they are able to enhance their business portfolios and further diversify. With many famous owners around, it is worth taking a look at the teams that have celebrities manning them, and seeing what they have managed to do with them, what they cost, etc.
Magic Johnson
Famous for his ability on the basketball court, Magic Johnson has a few different options in regards to the sports teams that are located in Los Angeles. Johnson has a stake in the Los Angeles Lakers and a huge share in the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In fact, he was involved with the group that parted with $2 billion to acquire the Major League Baseball franchise back in 2012, and that fee looks to have been a bargain as the team has become highly successful. The team dominates the MLB, and are believed to have the highest chance of winning the National League 2021, according to the .
He also played a role in making the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks franchise into what it is today, while he was also a catalyst in the Los Angeles FC franchise in Major League Soccer.
Michael Jordan
Magic Johnson is not the only former basketball player to have decided to go into the world of owning a sports team, as Michael Jordan also did something similar. Known as one of the best basketball players in the business, Jordan acquired a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats in 2005, before buying up the majority stake in 2010 and turning the team into what they are known as today: Charlotte Hornets.
David Beckham
One of soccer’s biggest superstars, David Beckham is an owner behind one of the newest football teams in the MLS; Inter Miami. The former England international wanted to provide Florida with an expansion team to compete with Orlando City, thus allowing for the introduction of Inter Miami.
Gloria Estefan, Fergie, Serena and Venus Williams and Marc Anthony
The one thing that these mega-celebrities have in common? Owning a minority share in the NFL franchise, the Miami Dolphins. Each only has a 1% share in the team, but it still cost them around $10 million to have, while the owner, Stephen Ross, wanted to include some diversity to represent Florida more accurately.
Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake owns part of the Memphis Grizzlies, as he was involved in the group purchase from Tennman Group, LLC in 2012. ‘JT’ saw the group acquire around 3% of ownership for $5 million, and it is a deal that has worked out for him as he was born in Memphis and wanted to support the team from his hometown.
Usher
Usher is another huge musical star that has managed to get involved in the NBA scene, as he participated in a group purchase for the Cleveland Cavaliers back in 2005. Having spent $375 million to acquire the basketball franchise, the singer witnessed LeBron James take his team to five NBA Finals and finally get their first Championship in 2016.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith
The Smiths might be a little estranged at the moment, however they were strongly supportive of each other when they decided to acquire a portion of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2011. The group that they were a part of are believed to have paid $280 million for the stake. As the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme song stated, Will Smith was born and raised in West Philadelphia, so it made sense for him to buy his hometown team when the opportunity arose for him to do so.
