20 Celebrities Who Have All Owned Sports Franchises

Most sports fans would do anything for their teams, but usually the only way they can get a piece of the action is by attending games or snapping up merch. Celebs, on the other hand? If they have the cash, they can own a franchise! And when you see which big-name stars are at the helm of some of your favorite teams, you may root even harder for the players.

1. Serena and Venus Williams

After purchasing a small stake in the Miami Dolphins back in 2009, Serena and Venus Williams became the first black women to own an NFL franchise. The boundary-breaking sisters are originally from Michigan, but they moved to Florida as kids to train under the tutelage of top tennis coach Rick Macci. And it definitely paid off!

2. Elton John

Rocket man? More like soccer man! Since he became an investor in 1976, Elton John has served in a variety of roles — including as chairman — for his hometown Watford Football Club. Today, he holds the lofty title of “president for life,” and he even has a stand named after him at the club’s home stadium, Vicarage Road.

3. Drew Carey

The price was certainly right for Drew Carey when he purchased a minority share of Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders in 2007. He was in good company, too, as the late Apple founder Paul Allen also had a stake. And under Carey’s part-ownership, the team has found great success. It even brought home the MLS Cup in 2016 and 2019.

4. Will Smith

In west Philadelphia born and raised... well, you know the rest. One of Philly’s most famous sons, Will Smith is a minority owner of his hometown Philadelphia 76ers. “There is nothing, in like all of entertainment, than to walk into the building when it’s announced that you’re a part owner of your hometown basketball team,” Smith told Jimmy Kimmel in 2016. “That is ridiculous.”