These Celebrities Own Pro Sports Franchises

Celebrities in the entertainment world and pro sports alike often make large investments with their earnings. These famous folks own stake in pro sports franchises that you may not have known about.

Take a look at this list of celebrity pro sports franchise owners.

Photography: Instagram

Justin Timberlake purchased a minority stake in the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012. The former NSYNC leading man’s pretense brought some real star power to the team’s home games.

Usher Raymond IV purchased a small stake in the Cleveland Cavaliers early in 2005 — one year after LeBron James’ arrival. He then said to Forbes, "I know I have the talent to entertain, but now I just want to be a great businessman.”

Yao Ming started his pro basketball career with the Shanghai Sharks before moving on to great success as the Houston Rocket’s starting center. After playing seven years in the NBA, Yao purchased the Shanghai Sharks club in its entirety.

Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child bought a minority stake in the WNBA’s Chicago Sky back in 2006. She’s always had a love for basketball and her stake in the Sky helps take this passion a little further.

Earvin “Magic” Johnson may be the most prolific athlete-turned-businessman ever. The Los Angeles Lakers legend leads an investment group that purchased the MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks in 2014.

Michael Jordan is often regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. After his illustrious career, Jordan bought a minority stake in the Charlotte Hornets which led to his acquisition of a majority stake in the franchise. He’s the first former NBA player to own a majority stake in a team.

David Beckham announced the official establishment of Inter Miami CF in 2018 — Major League Soccer’s newest franchise, set to take the field in 2020. It's said that Beckham is thinking of persuading superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to join the team.

Serena Williams ended an unmatched pro tennis career in 2022. She’s also a huge fan of her hometown Miami Dolphins and purchased a minority stake in the team in 2009. Serena and her sister Venus were the first African American women to hold any amount of ownership in an NFL franchise.

Sir Elton John is a lifelong fan of the Premier League’s Watford F.C. He’s owned the club twice before; once between 1976 and 1987, then again from 1997 to 2002. Though he doesn't own the Club anymore, he never left the team.

Will Smith started his TV career playing a version of himself — an energetic kid from West Philly whose main interests were basketball and hip-hop music. In 2011, Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith purchased a minority stake in the Philadelphia 76ers.

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