Actor Russell Crowe Hints He Might Be Interested in Buying Leeds United

Leeds United's struggles in recent seasons have been well documented, and earlier this year, Massimo Cellino was even banned from being their owner.

Therefore, you can't blame a supporter of the club from taking a wild punt and asking a celebrity fan to step in and rescue the sleeping giant. 

That's what Twitter user Sam Wild did with Russell Crowe, and it looks like he has piqued the interest of the Hollywood A-lister. 

Crowe asked his 1.67 million followers: "Anybody else think this is a good idea?" in response to Wild's plea for the Oscar winner to buy the club. 

And clearly, there were many who thought it was indeed a good idea. 

"

@russellcrowe right now would be good

— Leeds All Over (@LeedsAllOver) February 25, 2015"

"

@russellcrowe @benleeds @Samwild90 yes. Do it. Now.

— Jordan Brown (@JordanBrown91) February 25, 2015"

"

@russellcrowe @Samwild90 Talk to @LeedsFansLLP

— WACCOE (@WACCOE) February 25, 2015"

"

@russellcrowe @benleeds @Samwild90 Russell, listen to my words. This is a brilliant idea. Do it.

— Dan (@adrydan_) February 25, 2015"

The idea of Maximus Decimus Meridius running Leeds United seems fanciful at first, but it is not as crazy a suggestion as you might think when you dig a little deeper. 

First of all, Crowe is actually a fan of the Championship side, and secondly, he has experience co-owning a sports team. 

As per the BBC: 

"

Crowe, 50, is already the co-owner of rugby league club South Sydney Rabbitohs, who play in Australia's National Rugby League.

His affection for Leeds dates back to his schooldays, when he used to watch editions of the BBC's Match of the Day in Australia.

"

Leeds United are currently 14th in England's second tier, but they are traditionally considered one of the country's biggest teams.

They were in the Champions League semi-finals as recently as 2001 before financial difficulties saw them slip out of the Premier League in 2004.

They have not returned to England's top flight since and even had a spell in League One from 2007 to 2010. 

Update: Thursday February 26

Leeds United chairman Andrew Umbers has said the club is not for sale. 

He said, as per the Independent:

"

The club is not for sale nor do the Cellino family wish to sell and nor have we received any approaches contrary to reports in the press today. 

The ongoing legal discussions between Massimo Cellino and the Football League are being completely misinterpreted.

Leeds United is currently being successfully restructured, rebuilt, significantly invested in, with care and planning for the longer term with the Cellino family at its heart, for the benefit of its long-suffering and passionate fans, the city and its players and staff.

"

[Twitter, h/t BBC Sport]