Football Stars Transitioning to Ownership

When athletes retire, many pursue careers in punditry, coaching, or simply enjoy their wealth. An emerging trend, however, is former players becoming club owners. One notable example is Gareth Bale, who is reportedly in talks to lead a takeover bid of Cardiff City, a League One team, backed by a US private equity firm. Bale, who retired last year, has also been seen engaging in punditry and may soon become the public face of the club.

Other sporting legends have also entered football ownership:

Tom Brady – Birmingham City

The NFL star is a minority stakeholder in Birmingham City, part of a consortium that took over the club in 2023. Under new management, the team has been climbing from League One to the Championship, with ambitions to build a globally recognized brand, as Brady has expressed hopes of seeing fans worldwide sporting Birmingham gear.

Luka Modric – Swansea City

Modric, a decorated midfielder with Real Madrid, joined Swansea as an investor and co-owner, aiming to elevate the club’s profile and financial stability. He described Swansea as a club with a strong identity and aspirations to compete at higher levels. His involvement followed extensive discussions, highlighting his commitment to the project.

Ronaldo – Real Valladolid

The Brazilian legend Cristiano Ronaldo acquired a majority stake in Valladolid in 2018, promising rapid progress. Despite achieving two promotions, the club faced relegations, and CR7 sold his shares after a disappointing last season, ending his direct involvement amidst fan dissatisfaction.

The Class of 92 – Salford City

Manchester United icons like David Beckham and Gary Neville took over Salford City, investing heavily with hopes to reach the Championship. The other members of the famed “Class of 92” initially held shares but later handed them over, shifting the club’s ownership to new partners aiming for future growth.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Hammarby IF

In Sweden, Ibrahimovic, shortly after retiring, bought a 23.5% stake in Hammarby IF, a top-tier club. The move is relatively low-profile but shows his commitment to football beyond playing, with the club currently performing well in the league.

Paolo Maldini

The legendary Italian defender paused coaching prospects to invest in North American soccer, becoming a co-owner of Miami FC. Although no longer involved, his venture exemplifies players’ transition into football ownership globally.

Other Notable Mentions

• Jamie Vardy co-owned Rochester New York FC, which has since folded.
• Famous players like Cesc Fábregas and Thierry Henry are now shareholders at Italian club Como.
• Kylian Mbappé owns a significant stake in French Ligue 2 club Caen, helping to reduce its debt.