Football has long played a secondary role in American sports, to football, basketball and baseball in cultural prominence. Yet with the 2026 World Cup coming to US soil, America’s capital is having a major impact on the world game.
The influx of investment from US billionaires underscores a stark contrast: while domestic fandom is historically out of date, American money is focused on the growth of soccer around the world. From Premier League giants to Major League Soccer expansion teams, these investors are increasingly viewing the game as one of the most profitable frontiers in modern entertainment.
Over the past two decades, they have funded reforms, fueled expansion and helped lift clubs and players to greater heights. Together, these owners show that America’s fortunes are quietly reshaping the world’s most popular sport.
Stan Kroenke, real estate mogul
Net worth: $22 billion
Groups managed by: Arsenal, Colorado Rapids
The 78-year-old man from Missouri owns approximately 60 million square feet of land and 1.6 million acres of farmland, making him one of the largest private landowners in the US. He is married to Walmart heiress Ann Walton.
Kroenke bought the Colorado Rapids in 2004 from fellow billionaire Phil Anschutz. He was involved in Arsenal’s parent company, Arsenal Holdings, since the early 2000s and completed a full takeover in 2018, valuing the club at £1.8 billion ($2.3 billion) after buying out several shareholders, including Alisher Usmanov.
His extensive sports portfolio includes teams like the Rams (relocated from St. Louis to Los Angeles in 2016). He is currently in contention with the city of Inglewood for an estimated $400 million in public funding to develop the stadium.
Todd Boehly, investor
Net worth: $9.3 billion
Groups managed by: Chelsea, RC Strasbourg
The 52-year-old founder of Eldridge Industries entered world football in 2022 as part of the organization that bought Chelsea for $2.15 billion. He served as interim chairman before stepping down. Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025.
In 2023, Boehly acquired a majority stake in Ligue 1 club Strasbourg for an estimated £65 million ($82 million).
He is known for overhauling the recruiting strategy, introducing long-term contracts—often up to eight years—spreading costs and managing accounting efficiently.
John W. Henry, investor
Net worth: $5.7 billion
Groups managed by: Liverpool
The 76-year-old built his fortune in agricultural futures before founding John W. Henry & Company in 1981. Through Fenway Sports Group, he bought Liverpool in 2010 for £300 million ($476 million), rescuing the debt-ridden club. Liverpool are now worth £4.6 billion ($6.5 billion) and won the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League in 2020.
In 2021, Henry supported Liverpool’s involvement in the European Super League, a plan that quickly collapsed amid a massive fan backlash. Since then he has faced repeated criticism for his apparent disaffiliation with the party. As Tony Evans, manager of Athletic’s The Walk On podcast put it this way: “When he’s engaged, things happen.
Dan Friedkin, entrepreneur
Net worth: $11.3 billion
Groups managed by: AS Roma, Everton
The 61-year-old CEO of The Friedkin Group oversees a portfolio that includes automotive, travel and entertainment. He is the grandson of Pacific Southwest Airlines founder Kenny Friedkin.
Friedkin acquired AS Roma in 2020 for 591 million euros ($700 million); this team won the UEFA Conference League in 2022. In 2024, he increased his holding by buying a 94 percent stake in Everton for an estimated £400 million ($500 million).
He also pursued US sports investments, including unsuccessful bids for MLB’s San Diego Padres and NBA’s Boston Celtics.
The Glazer family, the house dynasty
Net worth: $10 billion combined
Groups managed by: Manchester United
The family built their wealth through First Allied Corporation, founded by grandfather Malcolm Glazer. He bought the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for $192 million in 1995, an NFL record at the time, and led them to a Super Bowl win in 2003.
In 2005, the Glazers acquired Manchester United for £790 million ($1.4 billion), a highly controversial deal that loaded the club with debt. After his death in 2014, ownership passed to his six children: Avram, Joel, Kevin, Bryan, Darcie and Edward.
In 2024, Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a 27.7 percent stake for £1.25 billion ($1.65 billion) and took control of football operations, while the Glazers retained majority ownership.
Jorge Mas, a Miami development giant
Net worth: $4.8 billion
Groups managed by: Inter Miami
The 63-year-old chairman of MasTec, a construction and engineering company founded by his father, he joined David Beckham’s Inter Miami ownership group in 2018 and, with his brother José, they control the majority in 2021.
The club signed Lionel Messi in 2023 and won the first League Cup. Inter Miami is now valued at $1.45 billion, the highest in MLS. Mas also serves as the president of Spanish club Real Zaragoza.
He is active in Cuban-American political advocacy and has supported the Trump administration’s efforts to accelerate political reform in Cuba.
Some famous American billionaires who own football clubs
- Shahid Khan (Fulham FC): The Pakistani-American owner of auto parts supplier Flex-N-Gate is worth $12.2 billion. He bought Fulham in 2013 for 300 million dollars.
- Gerry Cardinale (AC Milan): The founder of RedBird Capital Partners led the purchase of AC Milan for $ 1.2 billion in 2022.
- Bill Foley (AFC Bournemouth, Auckland FC): The chairman of Fidelity National Financial, worth $2.6 billion, bought AFC Bournemouth in 2022 for £120 million ($148 million) through his Black Knight Football Club. Actor Michael B. Jordan owns a few. Foley also acquired Auckland FC in 2023 for an undisclosed fee.
- Wes Edens (Aston Villa): The founder of Fortress Investment Group, worth $2.5 billion, bought a 55 percent stake in Aston Villa in 2018 for $30 million ($39 million) and took full control in 2019 at a cost of $54.5 million ($73 million).
- Arthur Blank (Atlanta United): The Home Depot founder, worth $10.2 billion, launched Atlanta United as an MLS expansion team in 2014, paying a fee of $70 million.
