The 2025 MLS soccer season has formally kicked off this March. Whereas a few of us are rocking with the house crew and others are simply vibing in our favourite package, it acquired us pondering—who’re the facility gamers off the pitch making issues occur behind the scenes?
From Hollywood to the boardroom, listed below are 12 of your favourite celebs who’re stepping up their portfolios and investing in “the gorgeous sport.”
Issa Rae, San Diego FC
After securing her legacy in Hollywood with hits like Barbie, actress Issa Rae is engaged on securing her legacy in sports activities, turning into an element proprietor of San Diego FC. The actress joined the Main League Soccer crew’s possession group simply earlier than their 2025 season debut together with Pave Investments, a gaggle of African entrepreneurs and profession traders.
Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Roots SC
A decade-long profession of hustling throughout the soccer area ready retired Seattle Seahawks operating again Marshawn Lynch for considered one of his largest roles but as an proprietor of the Oakland Roots. The Oakland native’s alternative to mentor and convey massive sports activities groups again to Oakland was too good to cross up, investing within the crew in 2021. Since then, the crew has continued to signal new expertise to fill out their ranks on the sphere.
Naomi Osaka, North Carolina Braveness
After capturing the world’s hearts and minds on the 2018 US Open, tennis champion Naomi Osaka is giving again to the younger women she impressed together with her success. She’s one of many proud crew homeowners of the North Carolina Braveness after investing within the Nationwide Girls’s Soccer League crew in 2021. The crew has a historical past of profitable; they gained titles in 2018 and 2019.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nashville Soccer Membership
Milwaukee Bucks energy ahead Giannis Antetokounmpo could also be finest acknowledged on the basketball courtroom, however he’s additionally honoring his connection to the soccer area. In 2023, the basketball star and his brothers invested within the Nashville Soccer Membership (Nashville S.C.), a testomony to their love of the game, ignited throughout their father’s profession as an expert soccer participant in Greece. Since then, the membership has strived for greatness, making a shocking debut within the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup with a 3-0 victory.
Russell Wilson and Ciara, Seattle Sounders FC
The trade energy couple jumped on the probability to be a part of one other considered one of Seattle’s nice groups—the Seattle Sounders FC. The couple invested within the Main League Soccer crew in 2019, persevering with their streak of elevating sports activities within the metropolis. Lately, the Seattle Sounders FC have been applauded for his or her presence on the sphere. ESPN awarded the crew the highest spot of their Jersey Energy Rankings listing for his or her freshly debuted Native American-influenced Salish Sea Package.
Ken Griffey Jr., Seattle Sounders FC
After being dubbed “The Child” by Seattle followers who rooted for him throughout his baseball profession, Ken Griffey Jr. is giving again to the town that helped put him on the map. In 2020, Griffey joined the Seattle Sounders membership’s possession—becoming a member of The Wilsons—after being impressed by the cheers the crew drew from the large stadium throughout considered one of their video games. In 2025, the Sounders have made it their objective to win the Concacaf Champions Cup and Membership World Cup tournaments.
Michael B. Jordan, AFC Bournemouth
Whereas Jordan might need donned soccer gear in Friday Night time Lights, the actor has taken on the very actual position of minority proprietor within the AFC Bournemouth. Within the years since he was introduced as a part of the possession group in 2022, Jordan helped design the crew’s new signature soccer gear, or kits, unveiled within the 2024 season.
James Harden, Houston Dynamo
Alongside along with his J-Harden Wine model, the NBA legend acknowledged Houston as the proper place to sharpen his basketball abilities and put money into considered one of Main League Soccer’s most promising groups. Harden turned an proprietor of the crew in 2019, additionally investing within the metropolis’s Shell Vitality Stadium whereas enjoying for the Houston Rockets. Since then, the Houston Dynamo have proved simply how dynamic they’re on the sphere, profitable the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2023.
Magic Johnson, Los Angeles FC
The basketball corridor of famer introduced his magic contact to Los Angeles’ soccer scene. Johnson turned an element proprietor of the membership in 2014, pouring again into the town the place he established himself as a basketball and enterprise powerhouse. Practically a decade later, in 2024, the crew captured a few of that magic on the sphere, profitable the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup event.
Derrick Henry, Nashville SC
Former Tennessee Titans operating again Derrick Henry introduced his love of competitors off the soccer area and into the hearts of Nashville’s finest soccer expertise. Whereas dwelling within the metropolis, Henry turned a minority proprietor of Nashville SC in 2022, signaling his help for the town’s different athletic stars. The crew has continued to push themselves on the sphere, notably competing within the Concacaf Champions Cup in 2024.
Patrick Mahomes, Sporting Kansas Metropolis
Whereas Kansas Metropolis Chiefs followers are acquainted with Patrick Mahomes’ Tremendous Bowl stardom, they might not know that the quarterback has ties to Kansas Metropolis’s different profitable roster. In 2021, Mahomes was welcomed to the Sporting Kansas Metropolis membership’s possession group after spending a number of seasons enjoying for the Missouri-based NFL crew, strengthening his ties to the town. Up to now, the crew has 4 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championships and two MLS Cup trophies underneath their belt.
Kevin Durant, Philadelphia Union (MLS) and NJ/NY Gotham FC
The NBA champion is all in on soccer and has thrown his help behind each Main League Soccer and the Nationwide Girls’s Soccer League. In 2020, Durant invested within the Philadelphia Union crew and dedicated to working with the Philadelphia group at massive. Two years later, Durant turned a minority investor in NJ/NY Gotham FC by his firm Thirty 5 Ventures (35V).