Dexter Fowler, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) center fielder, has become the latest high-profile American sports star to invest in a Premier League team, joining AFC Bournemouth’s ownership group. Fowler follows in the footsteps of fellow U.S. celebrities like LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Michael B. Jordan, who have all made similar moves into the world of English football.
LeBron James holds a stake in Liverpool, Tom Brady has invested in Birmingham City, and Michael B. Jordan is part of the minority ownership at Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium. Fowler, who played for MLB teams such as the Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and St. Louis Cardinals, is now part of the Premier League scene, under the mentorship of billionaire businessman Bill Foley, who also owns the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights.
Foley took over Bournemouth in December 2022, and recent reports from Sportico confirm Fowler's involvement in the club’s ownership group. Fowler’s entry into Premier League ownership adds to his growing business portfolio, which includes a production company (Fowlball Productions) and a management firm (400 Ventures).
Before this, Fowler dipped his toes into sports ownership by acquiring a stake in Lorient FC, a French club also owned by Foley.
Fowler, a 2016 World Series champion, earned over $100 million during his 14-year MLB career before retiring in 2021. His experience and influence are expected to contribute to Bournemouth’s ambitions of becoming a global entity, particularly in the American market. The recent signing of USMNT captain Tyler Adams, along with the team’s preseason tour in the U.S., aims to bolster the club’s appeal in the United States.
Bournemouth is among nine Premier League clubs with American investment, including Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Ipswich Town, Liverpool, and Manchester United. The growing interest from American investors is largely driven by the Premier League’s global reach and the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be primarily hosted in the United States.
As Premier League clubs continue to expand into the lucrative U.S. market, Fowler’s involvement signals yet another example of the deepening ties between American sports figures and English football.