Why America's super rich have embraced British soccer teams
American investors and celebrities are increasingly acquiring ownership stakes in English soccer clubs, viewing them as high-growth assets. The trend, which began with the Glazer family's purchase of Manchester United, has expanded to include a majority of Premier League teams.
Why it matters
The influx of American capital is fundamentally changing the financial landscape and ownership models of European sports.
As the dust settles after the FIFA World Cup , soccer fans' attention turns to the start of Europe's domestic league seasons. The English Premier League — by some distance the most popular soccer league in the world — kicks off once again on August 21 with champions Arsenal launching their title defense.
Growing American interest in the league is evident not just in broadcast viewing figures and social media hype — but increasingly in boardrooms, too. English soccer clubs, or football clubs, per the sport's more common global name, have become hot commodities for ultra-rich and institutional ownership over the years. What began with the Glazer family's takeover of Manchester United in 2005 has proliferated to American control of 11 of the 20 current Premier League sides.
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