• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 9, 2025
One week till Asset Class! Request to Attend

JJ, Kealia Watt Invest in English Soccer’s Burnley FC

  • Future Hall of Famer JJ Watt is investing in team ownership following his retirement from the NFL.
  • Burnley FC will play next season in the English Premier League after earning promotion from the EFL.
JJ Watt and his wife invested in soccer team.
Burnley FC.

Retired NFL star JJ Watt and his wife, NWSL star Kealia Watt, have acquired a minority ownership stake in English soccer club Burnley FC.

Terms of the Watts’ investment were not disclosed. American investment firm Alk Capital reportedly paid about £200 million ($250M) for majority control of Burnley FC in 2020.

Burnley FC was relegated to the second-division EFL Championship in 2022 but secured promotion in April to play in the Premier League’s upcoming season. Kealia Watt, a former UWSNT player, and current NWSL free agent, will be involved in growing Burnley FC’s women’s team. 

The Watts recently paid $7 million for a mansion in Phoenix, AZ, following JJ’s retirement from the NFL. The three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and future Hall of Famer told Front Office Sports in December that he was interested in buying a percentage of ownership in a soccer club. 

“I do think that a percentage of a soccer team would definitely interest me,” JJ Watt told FOS in December 2022. “My wife plays soccer, I’ve been very interested in soccer. I’ve really leaned heavily in European soccer over the last five to 10 years. That is something with the passion, fanbase, history, and tradition that definitely does interest me.”

Former NFL safety Malcolm Jenkins became a minority invested in Burnley FC in 2021. Other star athletes with ownership stakes in soccer clubs include LeBron James (EPL’s Liverpool FC), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MLS’ Nashville Predators), Patrick Mahomes (Sporting Kansas City), James Harden (Houston Dynamo), Kevin Durant (Philadelphia Union and Gotham FC), and Matthew Stafford (Angel City FC).

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

April 27, 2025; Anfield, Liverpool, BRITAIN; Liverpool player Mohamed Salah scores the fourth goal against the Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League match.

Tottenham Hotspur Owner Injects $134M Into Club Amid Hot Start to Season

The team recently rejected three takeover offers, declaring it is not for sale.
Jul 19, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (4) passes the ball in the second half of a preseason preparation soccer match against the Borussia Dortmund at Notre Dame.

Liverpool’s $598M Gamble Looks Pretty Average on the Pitch—So Far

Liverpool struggles after historic offseason spending and lofty expectations.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
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.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

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.
Nov 28, 2023; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod (20) celebrates his goal against the New York Islanders during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit:

Hockey Canada Trial’s Michael McLeod Signs Outside NHL

Fans in Carolina protested the team’s interest in the Hockey Canada 5.
Napheesa Collier
October 5, 2025

WNBA Tensions Heat Up With Canceled Collier–Engelbert Meeting

The commissioner denied Collier’s version of events at a press conference Friday.
Bucks
October 7, 2025

Bucks Reportedly Discussed Giannis Deal With Knicks This Summer

Antetokounmpo’s future will be a major NBA storyline this year.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Caitlin Clark
October 3, 2025

Cathy Engelbert Denies Saying Caitlin Clark Should Be ‘Grateful’ For WNBA

“Obviously I did not make those comments.”
Caitlin Clark
exclusive
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Will Not Join Second Season of Unrivaled

The Fever star struggled with several injuries in her second WNBA season.
Caitlin Clark
October 2, 2025

Caitlin Clark Backs Napheesa Collier in Fight With WNBA

Clark had her exit interview on Thursday after an injury-riddled season. 
Kuminga
October 1, 2025

With Kuminga Deal, Steve Kerr Now Warriors’ Biggest Looming Free Agent

Kuminga finally agreed to a new deal with the Warriors on Tuesday.