Celebrity owners in MLS: From Will Ferrell to Kevin Durant, stars invest in soccer

When news dropped Monday that NBA star Kevin Durant has joined the Philadelphia Union ownership group, it marked the latest example of high-profile individuals joining the soccer bandwagon.

Across the league, here’s a rundown of celebrities from the sports and entertainment worlds who are part of MLS ownership groups.

David Beckham

There are few cultural icons with a greater reach than Beckham, an owner and president of soccer operations for expansion club Inter Miami CF. His playing days with Manchester United, Real Madrid and the LA Galaxy sparked fame, and he remains instantly recognizable.

Drew Carey

Known best for his long-running comedy series “The Drew Carey Show” and as the host of improv/sketch show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”Carey brought Hollywood fame to the Seattle Sounders. A co-owner of the two-time MLS Cup champions, Carey helped start the Alliance Council whereby fans vote on the general manager’s fate every four years. 

Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant’s five-percent ownership stake in the Union means a the two-time NBA champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP now has a stake in MLS. The deal could see Durant add an additional five percent ownership in the near future, building off the new community initiatives.  

Will Ferrell

LAFC’s ownership group is diverse and expansive, though Will Ferrell is the most visible celebrity as an actor and comedian with key roles in “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy,” “Talladega Nights,” “Step Brothers,” and more. Other notable parts of LAFC’s ownership stable are ex-NBA star Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Mia Hamm Garciaparra, a US women’s national team all-time great. 

James Harden

A star for the NBA’s Houston Rockets since the 2012-13 season, Harden joined the ownership group of the Houston Dynamo, Houston Dash and BBVA Stadium last July. The 2018 NBA MVP, Harden shares a perch atop the sports world with fellow Dynamo owner Oscar De La Hoya, a former professional boxer.

Matthew McConaughey

Austin FC are set to join MLS in 2021 with an ownership group that includes this Hollywood star whose catchphrase “alright, alright” is immediately identifiable. McConaughey also has the title of Minister of Culture, a role similar to one he holds at the University of Texas at Austin. Already, McConaughey is hyping up soccer’s place in America.

Russell Wilson, Ciara

The Sounders announced last August that 11 new families were joining their ownership group, with husband Russell Wilson and wife Ciara among that contingent. Wilson’s a seven-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl-winning quarterback for the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, while Ciara’s a Grammy Award-winning musical artist.