Hollywood star Will Ferrell ‘buys large stake in Leeds United after falling in love with English football’… with the Elf actor also co-owner of LAFC
- Hollywood icon Will Ferrell is reportedly a new stakeholder in Leeds United
- The Elf actor thinks it is ‘a serious investment opportunity’ now that the play-offs are approaching
- It’s that time of the season! Who are the five best players of the season? Listen to It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
Hollywood icon Will Ferrell has bought a ‘major’ stake in Leeds United after falling in love with the English game, a new report has revealed.
The Elf star is a big sports fan and in 2016 he became one of the co-owners of MLS side LAFC.
Now he has made strides in England’s football world, with Leeds attempting to move from the Championship to the Premier League in the play-offs.
The sun on Sunday report that the 56-year-old has pumped a ‘major’ stake into American owners 49ers Enterprises from Leeds.
An insider said: ‘It’s true: Will Ferrell owns a share in Leeds.
Will Ferrell has reportedly taken a stake in Leeds after falling in love with English football
The 56-year-old has pumped a ‘large’ stake into American owners 49ers Enterprises from Leeds
Leeds missed out on automatic promotion from the Championship, but are in the play-offs
The Elf star is a big sports fan and became one of the co-owners of MLS side LAFC in 2016
“The 49ers will announce his involvement in the coming days and he looks forward to spreading some stardust over the club.
‘He loves football and is particularly impressed by the passion of the English game.’
The move is seen as ‘a serious investment opportunity’ as Leeds could be just three games away from returning to the Premier League.
While Leicester City and Ipswich Town clinched the automatic promotion spots, Leeds have a two-legged play-off against Norwich City.
A win over the Canaries would see them face West Brom or Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley on May 26 – which could be Ferrell’s first time seeing his new club.
The club’s ‘huge fan base’ has also been cited as a reason behind the business deal, with the source adding: ‘He knows his football and he is determined to bring the glory days back to Leeds.’
A spokesperson for Leeds said: ‘We would never comment on the status of individual investors.
“It’s up to them to comment on whatever interest they have in the club.”
If the move is confirmed, Ferrell would join several other Hollywood celebrities with financial investments in football clubs in the English system.
Black Panther actor Michael B Jordan was announced as co-owner of Premier League Bournemouth in 2022 – and earlier this year it was reported that he was creating a kit for Cherries to wear.
Michael B Jordan is designing a kit for Premier League team Bournemouth
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have celebrated back-to-back promotions with Wrexham
Ferrell chatted with Ted Lesso actors Brendan Hunt and Jason Sudeikis at the 2024 LAFC opener
Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham in 2020 and have overseen back-to-back promotions, meaning the North Wales club will be playing League 1 football next season.
In 2023, rapper Stormzy joined a consortium including Wilfried Zaha to buy Combined Counties League Premier Division South club Croydon Athletic.
Ex-Little Mix star Jade Thirwall was among the fans who helped invest almost £300,000 into South Shields FC in 2020.
In February, Ferrell spoke with Ted Lasso stars Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt during LAFC’s 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders in the first game of the 2024 campaign.