American investment in Premier League clubs is a common occurrence, with a host of English top-flight teams either partly or fully owned by an investor or company from the USA — and that list could be about to get even longer.
Bournemouth are apparently the latest English club to be linked with a U.S.-led takeover, with reports suggesting that businessman Bill Foley is leading a bid to buy out the Cherries.
Foley, who is the majority owner of the NHL team Vegas Golden Knights, is in exclusive talks to buy the south-coast club, according to The Athletic.
More: Meet Joshua Cohen, the American keeper competing in the UEFA Champions League
The Cherries' current owner, Russian-born businessman Max Demin, apparently has been trying to sell the club for almost four years but now looks closer than ever to making that a reality.
Given the growth of the Premier League and its global audience and TV revenue streams, English clubs have grown to be more appealing to U.S.-based owners over the past decade. Several of these investors have recognized an opportunity to take over clubs with passionate fan bases, renowned brands and untapped potential, applying learnings from American sports to the club operations.
Here's a look at the Americans who currently own shares in Premier League clubs:
American Premier League owners
Arsenal
- Owner/Investor: Stan Kroenke & Kroenke Sports Group
- Year invested: 2007
Kroenke first invested in Arsenal in 2007 and eventually took total control of the club in 2018. He has frequently been criticized for his lack of communication with supporters, but the club have spent significantly in recent years on the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Ben White and Thomas Partey.
Aston Villa
- Owner/Investor: Wesley Edens
- Year invested: 2018
Villa previously had an American owner in Randy Lerner. In 2018 the NSWE Group owned by Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris and American Wesley Edens took charge as they purchased a controlling 55 percent stake in the club. They have an estimated combined net worth of $9.9 billion.
Chelsea
- Owner/Investor: Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Hansjörg Wyss, Mark Walter
- Year invested: 2022
With the U.K. placing sanctions on Roman Abramovich in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chelsea were left with no choice but to seek out a new owner. American investor Todd Boehly came to the rescue, with his knowledge of sports ownership as the principal owner of the LA Dodgers.
Crystal Palace
- Owner/Investor: Palace Holdco LP and John Textor
- Year invested: 2015 & 2021
American investor John Textor became the largest individual owner of the club (40 percent) in August 2021 with an investment of roughly $114.7 in the club. He joined U.S. investor group Palace Holdco LP (41 percent), led by American investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who entered the frame in December 2015. Steve Parish remains Crystal Palace's chairman and has 10.7 percent interest in the club.
Fulham
- Owner/Investor: Shahid Khan
- Year invested: 2013
Pakistani-American billionaire Khan has been bankrolling Fulham since 2013, when he purchased the club from previous owner Mohamed Al Fayed. Al Fayed reportedly netted around £150million-£200million profit on the deal, having purchased the club for just £6.25m in 1997. Khan, who runs the club along with his son Tony — who also runs AEW Wrestling in the U.S. — is also the owner of NFL franchise the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Leeds United
- Owner/Investor: 49ers Enterprises
- Year invested: 2018
Italian Andrea Radrizzani is the majority owner of Leeds with a 56 percent stake. In May 2018, 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of NFL side San Francisco 49ers, became a minority investor in Leeds. 49ers Enterprises is owned by Denise DeBartolo York, Jed York and John York. There have been suggestions that the American company could eventually complete a full takeover of Leeds.
MORE: Leeds United deal with the San Francisco 49ers
Liverpool
- Owner/Investor: John W. Henry, Tom Werner (Fenway Sports Group)
- Year invested: 2010
In October 2010, Fenway Sports Group purchased Liverpool for £300 million (about $393 million today). Liverpool have enjoyed much success in recent years, especially following the appointment of Jurgen Klopp as manager, notably winning the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League a year later. In 2021 Forbes stated that Liverpool is the fifth most valuable football club in the world.
Manchester United
- Owner/Investor: The Glazer family
- Year invested: 2005
In 2005 Malcolm Glazer bought a stake of 27.8 percent in Manchester United, which led to him having a controlling interest in a takeover that valued the club at around £800 million (equal to about $1 billion today). With much of the money for the takeover having been borrowed, United were left with debts of £540 million (about $707.4 million today). Glazer died in 2014, with his family retaining ownership of United. Many United fans have frequently protested about the Glazers' ownership.
West Ham United
- Owner/Investor: Albert Smith
- Year invested: 2017
American billionaire Albert Smith bought a 10 percent share in West Ham in September 2017. He purchased the final block of shares which were owned by West Ham's previous owners CB Holding. David Sullivan owns 38.8 percent of West Ham, with David Gold owning 25.1 percent. Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky owns 27 percent.