LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Jay-Z: Hits, Misses Among Celebrity Sports Owners
Last week, LeBron James became a minority owner in the Liverpool Football Club of the English Premier League.
Then, actor Kevin Connolly confirmed he was part of a group of investors seeking minority interest in the New York Mets.
James' association with Liverpool, via his business alliance with Boston Red Sox/Fenway Park/Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Marketing put him in elite—and rather eclectic—company of celebrity sports owners.
The two-time NBA MVP joins a current group that includes Drew Carey, Bill Murray, Jay-Z, Usher, Steve Nash, David Letterman, Mario Lemieux and Michael Jordan.
Included among the celebs who previously had ownership interests in pro teams are Jon Bon Jovi, Paul Simon, Burt Reynolds, John Candy, Nelly and Bob Hope.
The Liverpool deal will do more for Brand James in England and Europe, at least initially, than it will for Liverpool's already iconic global status.
"This is a great opportunity for me," James said, referring to the business side and not about hitting the pitch as a striker or defender. "Eighteen championships. I see myself trying to do the same things they have."
James likely will travel to England to see his money at work prior to hitting London in 2012 as a member of the U.S. national team at the Summer Olympics.
However, even though he is expected to have minimal business input, both sides see it as a good business move.
"Winning comes first, and business issues come second," Fenway Sports president Sam Kennedy told the BBC about the LeBron deal. "Business supports the activities on the playing field."
Other athlete and celebrity team ownership deals have been hits, some have been strikeouts.
Jay-Z: Minority Owner, New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets
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Jay-Z has been a very visual and vocal supporter of the team, a difficult task considering that the Nets have lost more than 120 games over the past two seasons.
Their only current marquee player, Deron Williams, played just 12 games after arriving from Utah in February before being shut down for the season with a wrist injury.
Jay-Z and his equally high-profile wife, Beyoncé, are courtside regulars, which attracts national and international media.
Jay-Z's Brooklyn roots have also attracted both marketing partners and good will regarding what has been a long and winding road from New Jersey to Barclays Center, scheduled to open in September 2012.
Among the opening events most likely will be a Jay-Z-Beyoncé concert.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé have also expressed interested in buying a piece of Arsenal FC.
See THE MUSIC CONNECTION section for more music-related team owners.
Bill Murray: Investor, Minor League Baseball
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Bill Murray's best sports-related movie, Caddyshack, is all about golf.
But the actor, although a devoted golf fanatic, is all about baseball.
Among the minor league teams in which he has interests, via his association with New Jersey-based sports management and consulting firm Goldklang Group, are the St. Paul (Minn.) Saints, Charleston (SC) Riverdogs, Fort Myers (Fla.) Miracle and Hudson Valley (NY) Renegades.
Murray, who often is seen at Chicago Cubs games, is about as visible—and fun—as a baseball owner can be.
At team web sites, he is listed as Team Psychologist, Director of Fun and other irreverent titles.
Among other "jobs", he has sold programs, coached first and third base, been a vendor in the stands and announced at the ballparks.
See THE HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION section for more Hollywood-related team owners.
Steve Nash: Group Owner, Vancouver Whitecaps
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Nash is from Canada, so he has spent as much time kicking and dribbling a soccer ball as he has dribbling and passing a basketball.
When the Caps, an MLS expansion team, played their first-ever home game in March, Nash was omni-present at Empire Field, mingling with the crowd, waving a team flag and spurring the club to a 4-2 victory.
Nash promises not to be one-night-stand owner. "The Vancouver fans don't want you to try and sell them just anything. They want you to put a good product on the field."
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Drew Carey: Chairman, Seattle Sounders FC Alliance
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The MLS Seattle Sounders team's majority owner is film producer Joe Roth, and comedian/game show host Drew Carey is a minority owner along with Paul Allen, so Carey is in good—and seriously business-minded—company.
Carey has gotten national attention for his team via public appearances and national media interviews, helping to ensure the third-year franchise with a growing fan base in a community that couldn't maintain an NBA franchise.
Case in point: Carey's involvement has gone so far as to help form the marching band that performs at every home game.
Usher: Minority Owner, Cleveland Cavaliers
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To date, Usher has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and has won five Grammys.
He does not, however, have an NBA championship ring with the Cleveland Cavaliers and may not have one in the near future.
Usher became an investor in 2005 and experienced the hey-day of LeBron James.
He now suffers the post-partum loss of James as a result of "The Decision."
Usher has lent his face and voice to Cavaliers events, but is much more low-key compared to Jay-Z's tenure with the Nets.
David Letterman: Owner, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
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David Letterman, a native of Indianapolis, is a self-professed racing fan who often attends events at the Indy Speedway.
According to his bio, he was a pit reporter in 1971 for ABC Sports at the Indy 500, long before embarking on his late night TV career.
In 1996 he became a co-owner in the sport with former driver and close friend Bobby Rahal.
In October 2010, businessman and former Indy Car team owner Mike Lanigan joined the ownership team to extend Rahal Letterman to Rahal Letterman Lanigan.
Lanigan himself is no stranger to celebrity partners. He was previously part-owner of an IndyCar race team along with actor Paul Newman.
Letterman still attends races but has used his CBS show relatively sporadically to promote RLLR.
He has, however, had as a guest on several occasions driver Danica Patrick, who used to race for his team but now is part of Andretti Green Racing.
When Patrick appeared on Letterman's show in 2008, the good-natured host had his band play, "Used To Be My Girl."
Joe Gibbs: Owner, Joe Gibbs Racing
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In some circles, Joe Gibbs is known as the racing team owner who used to dabble in the NFL.
As head coach for the Washington Redskins, Gibbs guided the team to wins in Super Bowls XVII, XXII and XXVI.
Joe Gibbs Racing made its debut in 1992 at the Daytona 500 with driver Dale Jarrett. It also has been home to drivers including Tony Stewart and Bobby Labonte.
Among the drivers on the teams that currently race under the JGR umbrella are Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch (pictured), Joey Logano and Brad Coleman.
Mario Lemieux: Co-Owner/Chairman Pittsburgh Penguins
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Mario Lemieux was the face of the franchise on the ice, then became a savior of the financially troubled team in 1999.
The team was headed out of town or possibly out of the NHL when Lemieux put an ownership conglomerate together and resurrected the Penguins.
The team now plays in new Consol Energy Center, has a strong fan base and a bevy of marketing partners.
Lemieux is also among the most vocal of NHL team owners, speaking out on issues from stronger penalties for players who are repeatedly suspended by the league to more protection for players from concussions.
Also in the NHL, Wayne Gretzky was part owner of the Phoenix Coyotes until the NHL took over in 2009.
Michael Jordan: Principal Owner, Charlotte Bobcats
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Michael Jordan's exploits as a player have, to date, far outdistanced his time as an owner.
But the NBA is happy to have MJ in the fold, giving a face and basketball credibility to the Charlotte Bobcats franchise.
His presence has also helped to attract major marketing partners who understand the value of associating with one of the best-known sports figures in the world.
That includes Time Warner Cable, which has naming rights to the team's home arena.
Jordan, not that far removed from his playing days, also attracts attention to the team when he suits up and scrimmages against players 20 years his junior.
Jordan's equally famous contemporary, Magic Johnson, owned part of the Los Angeles Lakers until October 2010, when he sold his shares to pursue other business interests.
Russel Crowe: Principal Owner, South Sydney Rabbitohs
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Russell Crowe has been channeling his Maximus character from Gladiator to bring the legendary Australia's South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby Team back to life.
Founded in 1908, the team was facing severe financial and legal distress when Crowe became principal owner in 2006.
Since then, top-flight players and marketing partners have helped the "Rabbits" return to the top of the international rugby world.
Among the other stars who have had minor to majority ownership in international teams are Elton John (Watford FC, Los Angeles Aztecs) and Rod Stewart (Celtic FC).
Celebrity Ownership by Committee: Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins' celebrity ownership status dates back to day one. Actor/entertainer Danny Thomas was, with Joe Robbie, an original owner of the Miami Dolphins, beginning in 1966 with the American Football League.
The list of investors today includes Marc Anthony, Venus and Serena Williams, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Fergie (pictured) and Jimmy Buffett.
Current records show that Stephen Ross owns about 95 percent of the Dolphins and Wayne Huizenga about 5 percent.
That does not leave much ownership wiggle room for the bevy of celebrities who are regarded as "limited partners" in the franchise.
But Miami has become a star-studded hotbed of high-profile sports. And the role of these stars is clear.
"We are focused on diversifying our fan base and broadening our reach," Dolphins' CEO Mike Dee has said. "Having these high profile celebrities owning some of the team will help us get more people to the games and add excitement around the event. And it doesn't hurt that they all love football."
The HOLLYWOOD CONNECTION
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Among the stars who have had minority to majority ownership in sports teams:
• Burt Reynolds (pictured) was co-owner of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL, from 1983 until 1986 when the league folded.
The team was named the Bandits due to Reynolds starring role in the Smokey and the Bandit movies.
• John Candy was a co-owner of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL (along with Wayne Gretzky and Bruce McNall) from 1991 until his death in 1994.
The John Candy Memorial Award is given out every year to the Toronto Argonauts player of the year as voted on by the Football Reporters of Canada.
• Bob Hope, a native of Cleveland, was part owner of the Cleveland Indians in the 1950s and 1960s, and even appeared on the cover of SI in 1963 wearing Indians gear.
• Gene Autry, who was a legend in Hollywood via films and appearances from the 1930s to the 1960s, was a very visible and respected owner of the Los Angeles/California Angels from 1961-1996.
His number 26 (which stood for the team's 26th man) was retired by the franchise in 1996, two years before his death.
• Disney Co. owned the California/Los Angeles Angels (1996-2003) and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1993-2005).
• Bing Crosby was part owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1946 until his death in 1977.
Among his possessions was the extremely rare almost-complete TV broadcast of Game 7 of the 1960 World Series between the Pirates and the New York Yankees.
It was discovered in 2010 and then aired for the first time in 50 years this past December by MLB Network.
• Danny Kaye was an original co-owner of the Seattle Mariners from the team's inception in 1977 until 1981.
• Jason Priestley was part owner of IRL's Rubicon Race Team.
The MUSIC CONNECTION
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Among the singers and musicians who have had minority to majority ownership roles in sports teams:
• Legendary concert promoter Bill Graham was part owner of the NASL's Oakland Stompers (1978).
• Singer Pat Boone was the owner of the Oakland Oaks of the ABA (1967-69).
• Peter Frampton and Paul Simon owned part of the Philadelphia Fury in the old NASL
• Nelly was a minority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats from 2004-2010 when Michael Jordan took over.
* Jon Bon Jovi (pictured) co-owned the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul and Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora was a minority investor, as was former NFL quarterback Ron Jawarski.
In addition, Tim McGraw owned a piece of the AFL's Nashville Kats and Mike Ditka was co-owner of the Chicago Rush.
• Nick Lachey was among the owners of Minor League Baseball's Tacoma Rainiers.
Other Celebrity Team Owners of Note
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• Ray 'McDonald's' Kroc owned the San Diego Padres (1974-1984), followed by his wife, Joan Kroc (1984-1990)
• George W. Bush was majority owner of the Texas Rangers before being elected U.S. President
• Donald Trump (pictured) was majority owner of the New Jersey Generals in the USFL.
• Author Tom Clancy owned a piece of the Baltimore Orioles.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
