Ryan Reynolds, Russell Crowe and other A-list actors investing in sports teams

Actors and athletes seemingly live in different worlds, but their paths are crossing more and more these days. Especially given how many Hollywood actors now invest in their favourite teams.

Let's take a look at which acting greats have made a name for themselves with their investments in sports teams.

Michael B. Jordan is an A-list Hollywood actor who has starred in films such as 'Creed' and 'Black Panther'.

Jordan has become a minority owner of AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League in a deal led by American businessman Bill Foley.

Perhaps the actor who has been most heavily involved in his investment is 'Deadpool' himself – Ryan Reynolds. He and fellow actor Rob McElhenney bought the club for $2.5 million in November 2020, according to Metro sport.

Since buying the club, the owners have put their own Hollywood twist on it with the Disney series 'Welcome to Wrexham', which shows the behind-the-scenes of what goes on at the club.

Arguably the funniest man in Hollywood with performances in films such as 'Elf', 'Stepbrothers', and 'The Campaign', Will Ferrell has also invested part of his wealth in sports.

Ferrell became co-owner of Los Angeles FC back in 2016 with fellow American Idol and sports star Magic Johnson. Since his co-ownership, the team has won six titles in the USA.

Matthew McConaughey is another Hollywood actor who got involved in the growing Major League Soccer market after he became a minority owner in Austin FC, alongside founder and majority owner Anthony Precourt.

The actor, famed for his roles in the 'Wolf of Wall Street', 'Interstellar', and 'The Gentlemen', bought a stake in his hometown team back in 2019.

Best known for his Oscar-winning role in the movie 'Gladiator', Russell Crowe used his Hollywood money to purchase his own sports team. In 2006, Crowe purchased a majority stake in the Australian Rugby League side, the South Sydney Rabbitohs – a team he had followed since childhood.

Since purchasing the club, Crowe has famously brought some famous guests to the games. The big names include Chris Hemsworth and action man Tom Cruise.

A-lister Natalie Portman did things a little differently from other actors on this list – she actually founded her own team! She founded Angel City FC, a National Women's Soccer League team, in 2020.

The club, backed by a number of famous faces including Serena Williams, Billie Jean King and Christina Aguilera, also operates a little differently from most other professional sports teams. Not only does the team give players a cut of the ticket sales, but they also offer players education and training to help them with their post-playing careers.

Renowned for his roles in blockbusters 'The Pursuit of Happiness', 'King Richard', and 'I Am Legend', Will Smith went back to his roots when he decided to invest in a team.

Famously born in West Philadelphia, Smith and partner Jada bought a minority stake in the Philadelphia 76ers back in 2011.

Bill Murray always had a love for sports and famously played a major role in the original 'Space Jam' movie with Michael Jordan.

Murray's love for Minor League Baseball is well-documented so it should be no surprise to hear he is the co-owner of the St Paul Saints who play in the International League, one league below the major league.

With the success of all the aforementioned A-list actors who have invested in sports teams, will this trend continue to sweep through Hollywood in the coming years?