As of the 2025/26 season, 13 of the 20 Premier League clubs featured minority American shareholders, reflecting a long-term trend of U.S. investment in English football. This influx is driven by the search for growth opportunities outside the restricted, high-cost franchise models of American sports leagues like the NFL and NBA, according to football financial expert Kieran Maguire.
Why are American investors targeting English football?
The primary driver for U.S. investment is the scarcity of entry points in domestic American sports. According to Kieran Maguire, buying an NFL team now requires an investment between $5 billion and $10 billion, and existing owners rarely look to sell.
By contrast, English football offers a more accessible entry. Even clubs with massive global followings remain lower in value than the least expensive teams in major American leagues. For example, Newcastle United—ranked as the eighth-most valuable team in the Premier League in 2025—is worth less than the Columbus Blue Jackets, which is the lowest-valued team in the NHL.
"If you take a look at the opportunities that are available to them in the United States – NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL – they’re all closed franchises. So they’re very expensive to get into because there’s a limited number of teams. The existing owners are in no hurry to sell," Kieran Maguire told Sky Sports.
Is the American model changing the sport?
American investors often bring a philosophy focused on maximizing entertainment value and commercial revenue, which occasionally clashes with traditional European norms. Investment expert Adam Sommerfeld notes that U.S. groups excel at creating an "all-encompassing experience" for fans.
However, this approach has sparked tension. The Arsenal Supporters Trust has criticized the "American/FIFA model" of raising ticket prices to increase revenue. Furthermore, fans of Manchester United, Liverpool, and Everton have held protests over financial and ownership issues in the last 12 to 24 months.
Broadcasting is another area of potential change. Maguire suggests that American owners may look for ways to increase commercial breaks, pointing to the 2026 World Cup’s introduction of three-minute drinks breaks as a sign of the direction of travel for television-friendly scheduling.
Why is the UK more attractive than the rest of Europe?
While American interest exists across Europe—with 32% of clubs in the top five leagues having American stakeholders—the UK remains the most investable market.
Investment expert Adam Sommerfeld explains that other European nations present significant barriers:
- Germany: The "50-plus-one" rule restricts outside ownership.
- Italy: Transacting can be complex.
- France: Media deals have faced recent struggles.
In contrast, the UK provides a more stable, profitable landscape for private equity, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals, according to Sommerfeld.
Did You Know?
A study from Nielsen found that nearly 80 billion minutes of football were watched in the U.S. during 2025, with 33% of the population expecting their interest to grow over the following 18 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t American investors buy clubs in Germany?
German football operates under a "50-plus-one" rule, which is designed to keep fans in control of clubs and prevents the type of majority private ownership favored by many U.S. investors, according to football expert Raphael Honigstein.
Are there more American owners now than before?
Yes. Of the 13 Premier League clubs with American stakeholders, 11 emerged after the 2008 global financial crisis, a period when the U.S. economy recovered at a faster rate than many European counterparts.
Will the trend of American investment continue?
Investment expert Adam Sommerfeld anticipates that American interest will persist, noting that other international groups—such as those from China, Russia, or the Middle East—face political or regulatory hurdles that make them less likely to compete for these assets.
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