• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 4, 2025

Dexter Fowler Wants to Change the Narrative on Athlete Ownership

Fowler has built an investment portfolio that includes a minority stake in Premier League club Bournemouth. He wants to change the “bad stigma” about athletes going broke after retirement.

Photo: Derryl Barnes Jr./FOS

When former MLB All-Star and World Series champion Dexter Fowler joined the ownership group of the Premier League’s AFC Bournemouth last year, something he once thought out of reach had become reality. 

Fowler, who played 14 MLB seasons and won a World Series in 2016 with the Cubs, is well aware of “the bad stigma” that “athletes always lose their money” after retiring, he told Front Office Sports on a recent episode of Portfolio Players

He wasn’t content to simply not go broke; after retiring from baseball in 2023, he eyed sports ownership opportunities. “As athletes, we didn’t know [ownership] was obtainable,” Fowler said. 

His path to ownership started with an unlikely connection. When Fowler moved to Las Vegas, he quickly learned his neighbor was Bill Foley, who founded title insurance company Fidelity National Financial and owns the NHL’s Golden Knights as well as a number of soccer teams (including Bournemouth) through Black Knight Football Club. Fowler introduced himself to Foley on a golf course, they became friends, and eventually Foley said, “I have something for you when you’re ready to retire.” That was Bournemouth.

“It’s relationships like that that have helped me transition from being an athlete to a business owner,” Fowler said. “Everything Bill touches is usually gold.”

The reality of ownership isn’t just about cashing dividend checks, Fowler quickly learned. Especially in the Premier League, in which there’s no salary cap, so owners must continuously pour money into everything from players to facilities, and more.

“That aspect of it gets tough,” he said. But when your team wins, he added, it’s worth every penny.

The exposure has opened new doors for Fowler as well. Ownership puts him in rooms with executives, investors, and celebrities in a way that’s different from being an athlete. 

“The higher you get, the smaller the world gets,” he said. “You realize everybody knows everybody.”

Fowler, who also runs a talent management company called 400 Ventures, is interested in opportunities in tech as well: He’s built friendships with Silicon Valley leaders like Ben Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz, and is eager to go deeper in areas like artificial intelligence.

More than anything, he says he wants to continue changing the perception of what athletes can do once they are done playing.

“[People] don’t really know how invested and how smart we are,” he said. “And the connections we have. That we’re able to get in deals, the right deals. I mean, before … you only heard the bad things. It’s like everybody has PTSD, and we get a bad stigma.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

breaking

Fox Analyst Mark Sanchez Arrested After Violent Incident in Indy

Sanchez was “arrested for” three misdemeanors, but has not been charged.
Cody Campbell

Fox, ABC Reject Ad Accusing Power Conference Commissioners of Greed

Cody Campbell said the ads were pulled after he paid for them.
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.

Featured Today

Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 22: Cameron Young of Team USA hits his tee shot on the third hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup Practice Round at Bethpage State Park on Monday, September 22, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 23, 2025

U.S. Ryder Cup Players Will Be Paid. Not Everyone Is Pleased

Americans are receiving a $200,000 stipend, and not everyone is pleased.
Blake Bortles appears set to exit Jacksonville with a career 24-49 record.

Private Equity’s Sports Push Has Entered Overdrive

Athletes like Blake Bortles and Rob Gronkowski are diving into sports investing.
September 30, 2025

Jozy Altidore: Becoming an NFL Owner Is Like Going Back to School

Altidore owns stakes in the Bills and the NWSL’s Bay FC.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), one of several premier sponsors for the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, as seen on Stadium 2 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif., on March 14, 2024.
September 30, 2025

The Australian Soccer Player Running Saudi PIF’s SURJ Sports

SURJ Sports CEO Danny Townsend says there is “genuine commitment” to social change.
Sponsored

How Soccer Star Jozy Altidore Became a Buffalo Bills Owner

Jozy Altidore discusses building a business legacy off the field.
Sep 21, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) completes a pass during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium.
September 25, 2025

Patriots Become Fourth NFL Team to Add Private-Equity Investor

The minority stake sales value the team at more than $9 billion.
Napoli Basketball
September 25, 2025

Napoli Basketball, Campobasso Owner Charts Conglomerate Plan

Matt Rizzetta’s new corporate entity will house multiple pro teams and real estate assets.
Shaedon Sharpe
September 24, 2025

RAJ Sports Sues Over Sale of Blazers Minority Stake

The Kings minority owners claim the Cherng Family Trust breached an agreement.
September 23, 2025

PrizePicks Sells $1.6B Stake, Launches Prediction Markets Business

PrizePicks’ CEO believes it is “the next $40 billion company in the U.S.”