Hollywood icon Will Ferrell has bought a ‘large’ stake in Leeds United after falling in love with the English game, according to a new report.
The Elf star is a huge sports fan, and in 2016, he became one of the co-owners of MLS side LAFC.
Now he has made an advance into the world of football in England, with Leeds in the play-offs seeking to move from the Championship to the Premier League.
The Sun on Sunday report that the 56-year-old has pumped a ‘large’ stake into Leeds’ American owners 49ers Enterprises.
An insider said: ‘It’s true – Will Ferrell owns a share of Leeds.
Will Ferrell has reportedly brought a stake in Leeds after falling in love with English football
The 56-year-old has pumped a ‘large’ stake into Leeds’ American owners 49ers Enterprises
Leeds missed out on automatic promotion from the Championship, but are in the play-offs
The Elf star is a huge sports fan, and became one of the co-owners of MLS side LAFC in 2016
‘The 49ers will be announcing his involvement in the coming days and he’s looking forward to sprinkling a little stardust on the club.
‘He loves soccer and has been particularly impressed by the passion of the English game.’
The move is viewed as ‘a serious investment opportunity’, with Leeds potentially just three games from returning to the Premier League.
While Leicester City and Ipswich Town took the automatic promotion spots, Leeds have a two-legged playoff against Norwich City.
Victory over the Canaries would see them square up against either West Brom or Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley on May 26 – which could be the first time Ferrell sees his new club.
The club’s ‘massive fanbase’ has also been cited as a reason behind the business deal, with the source adding: ‘He knows his football and he is determined to help bring back the glory days to Leeds’.
A spokesman for Leeds said: ‘We would never comment on the status of individual investors.
‘It would be up to them to comment on any stake they have in the club.’
If the move was confirmed, Ferrell would join several other top Hollywood celebrities with financial investments in football clubs in the English system.
Black Panther actor Michael B Jordan was announced as a part-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 in the process of 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 LAFC’s 2024 opener
Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham in 2020, and have overseen back-to-back promotions which mean the North Wales club will play 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 one of the fans who helped to invest nearly £300,000 in South Shields FC back in 2020.
In Februrary, Ferrell spoke with Ted Lasso actors Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt during LAFC’s 2-1 win over the Seattle Sounders in the first game of the 2024 campaign.
