Could every Premier League & EFL Team become US-Owned?

All 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League are owned by people of various nationalities.

But that could change in the next five to 10 years as a football investment expert believes every club could be owned by American investors.

In the past few years, several clubs in the top four tiers have either been taken over or received investment from Americans.

The Premier League has the likes of Todd Boehly and the Glazer family, who own Chelsea and Manchester United respectively.

More EFL teams are receiving US investment and Adam Sommerfield believes this trend will continue.

Adam Sommerfield, a sports investment specialist for advisory firm Certus Capital Partners, said:

“Fourteen of the 20 Premier League teams are LLP [limited liability partnership] minority-owned [by Americans] and at least a third of the EFL are.

“I can’t see how all of them won’t have American investment in the next five to 10 years.

“I know what we have in terms of our trend line and our competitors and I’m not aware of a team that hasn’t had a conversation with an American investor in the past few months.

“Every team is talking to them.”

Replicating Wrexham?

In 2021, Wrexham, which was in the National League at the time, received a Hollywood influx when it was taken over by actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.

Since then, the duo have helped the side reach League One.

The club’s profile across the world has also vastly increased, thanks to Rob and Ryan’s popularity as well as the Welcome to Wrexham documentary series.

According to Adam Sommerfield, the relatively low initial investment of between £10-15 million to buy a League One or Two club and the potential to improve its standing is an enticing proposition.

He said: “It gives them the opportunity to prove an investment thesis relatively cost-effectively.

“These are guys who are super smart, well-financed investors with a lot of ego and bravado and they want to prove that they are up to the challenge of picking up a team in League Two or League One and ‘doing a Wrexham’, getting it through to the Championship and, perhaps ultimately, the Premier League.

“You’d be stunned how many investors we had during Covid who had seen Welcome to Wrexham and Ted Lasso, and said ‘I want to buy a team’.

“The romanticism is a huge part of it. It’s something they [US sports] don’t have with the FA Cup and promotion and relegation.

“It’s quite sexy and it’s very easy to promote.”

Influx of US Ownership

Following Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ arrival at Wrexham, several other US celebrities from sports and entertainment have become involved with EFL sides.

Former NFL defensive end JJ Watt is a minority owner at Burnley while iconic quarterback Tom Brady is similarly involved with League One side Birmingham City.

Actor Will Ferrell and golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have a stake in Leeds United through the club’s owners 49ers Enterprises.

Meanwhile, A$AP Rocky is reported to be part of an investment group looking to buy League Two side Tranmere Rovers.

Sommerfeld believes that American investment is an “extremely good thing” for English football.

He explained: “I think these are super-smart investors.

“The product they produce in the big four sports.”

“If they can bring that entertainment product here, and they have the know-how to commercialise and monetise sports assets, it will be fascinating.

“We’ve had questionable investors before and I don’t think you can say that for these guys. I think they’re extremely good for the game from the top down.”

The association between Hollywood and football has also been seen in the Premier League with Bournemouth.

Since December 2022, the side has been owned by American businessman Bill Foley and Cannae Holdings. Creed star Michael B Jordan is a part owner of the club.

Foreign Investment & Motives Questioned

US lawyer and businessman Rob Couhig owned League One club Wycombe Wanderers for five years before selling up in the summer of 2024.

He attempted a takeover of Reading but the deal collapsed in September 2024.

Nevertheless, Rob Couhig oversaw Wycombe’s first-ever promotion to the Championship.

Although he “enjoyed” owning Wycombe, some fans will always question the motives of foreign investment no matter how successful the team is.

He said:

“The fans were very kind and welcoming.”

“One of the things that I found with English football fans, though, is there are about 20% who will just think the worst no matter what.

“We had to get over 75% of the members of the trust to vote for us to take over and we got 97% after we had operated the club for four months.

“Fan engagement is sort of our deal and it didn’t hurt that we were able to put a first-class team on the pitch, but even up until we sold it there were still people who were like ‘why would he want to do this?'”

The growing trend of American ownership in the Premier League and the EFL highlights the global appeal and financial opportunities of English football.

While US investors bring vast resources, modern business practices, and a focus on global brand expansion, their presence also raises concerns about preserving the traditions and community ties that define the sport.

Although it’s unlikely every club will become US-owned, the continued influx of foreign capital – particularly from the United States – reflects football’s shift towards a more commercialised, globalised industry.

The challenge lies in striking a balance between financial growth and maintaining the integrity of the game, ensuring that clubs remain deeply connected to their local supporters while thriving in the international arena.