Friday, September 25, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

USL Championship Lands More Investments From Pro Athletes

  • Loudoun United’s new owners include the NFL’s Yannick Ngakoue, MLB’s Tommy Pham, and NBA’s Jeff Teague.
  • Other former athletes with stakes in USL clubs include Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, and Marshawn Lynch.
More pro athletes are investing in USL franchises.
Courtesy of Loudoun United FC

Retired NBA player Jeff Teague, MLB outfielder Tommy Pham, and NFL defensive lineman Yannick Ngakoue have acquired ownership stakes in USL Championship club Loudoun United FC. They have joined an investment group led by Jordan Stuart, a DMV-area real estate agent and director of Keller Williams Realty Sports + Entertainment.

The trio becomes the latest athletes to invest in USL teams, joining former USMNT stars Landon Donovan (San Diego Loyal SC) and Tim Howard (Memphis 901 FC) and former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch (Oakland Roots). Tim Tebow is part of an ownership group for a Jacksonville-based USL Championship team expected to begin to play in 2025.

MLS club D.C. United sold its majority stake in Loudoun United earlier this year to Attain Sports & Entertainment in a deal that valued the USL club at $40M, according to SBJ. D.C. United retained a minority interest in Loudoun United but is following a trend of MLS clubs distancing their affiliations with the USL support builds for MLS Next Pro, a new development league established by MLS.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Curaçao’s World Cup Goalie Eloy Room Puts Spotlight on the USL

Eloy Room plays for Miami FC in the USL Championship.

USL Announces Tentative New CBA After Player Protests

Players protested by stopping play during matches this season.
May 6, 2025; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; New York Red Bulls fans celebrate after the match against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field.

USL’s Labor Negotiations Stretch Into Regular Season

Players protested during the first minute of matches on opening weekend.
Reggie Bush speaks on unionizing college football players during the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the University Club of Pasadena in Pasadena, Calif. Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024.

Former NFL Pros Launch PE Firm for Emerging Leagues

Terrence C. Murphy and Reggie Bush are targeting $150 million for their debut fund.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/25/26 – Trump Skips ‘GameDay,’ Sun Leave Connecticut, Juszczyk’s ‘Juice’ Fine

0:00

Featured Today

A Bar of Their Own

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 3, 2026 Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli in action during the race
Exclusive

Dolphins Owner Nearing Deal to Sell 20% Stake in Miami F1 Race

Stephen Ross has owned the Miami Grand Prix since 2021.
Exclusive
September 16, 2026

LeBron James Polymarket Deal Worth $15 Million a Year

James is not an investor in Polymarket, just an endorser.
Drew Weatherford
September 23, 2026

Former FSU QB Drew Weatherford Says PE Can Fix Youth Sports

Weatherford tells FOS what’s ailing the youth sports industrial complex.
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
Ndamukong Suh
September 16, 2026

Ndamukong Suh: ‘I Don’t Necessarily Agree’ With PE in Youth Sports

“They’re always gonna be looking for those returns.”
Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC stretches his left leg next to Tom Kim during warms up before match against the Los Angeles Golf Club who won the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Exclusive
September 10, 2026

New Funding Doubles TGL Parent Company Valuation to $1B

TMRW is the parent company of indoor golf leagues TGL and WTGL.
Aug 25, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; General overall view of Seattle Seahawks logo at CenturyLink Field during a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
September 4, 2026

Mark Stevens Is Seahawks’ Top Minority Investor

Other investors joined the Seahawks’ new ownership from the Mittal-Grousbeck group.
September 3, 2026

Meet the Seahawks’ New Minority Owners

There are multiple PE, VC, and AI investors.