{
  "id": 11989583,
  "title": "From pitch to boardroom: Ex-players who own football clubs",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/from-pitch-to-boardroom-ex-players-who-own-football-clubs-11989583",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T19:22:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/from-pitch-to-boardroom-ex-players-who-own-football-clubs/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the modern game of football, a growing trend has emerged: former players stepping into the boardroom to become club owners. With the immense financial stakes involved and the sport's worldwide appeal, several retired athletes have taken on this role.\n\nGary Neville, part of the famous Class of '92, is one such example. Alongside fellow Manchester United legends David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Nicky Butt, Neville acquired controlling stakes in Salford City. The club's promotion through the English football system has been a testament to Neville's involvement.\n\nDavid Beckham, now known for his ownership of Inter Miami, also has a stake in Salford City. He joined the original Class of '92 takeover and continues to be associated with the club under the current ownership structure.\n\nCesar Azpilicueta, former Chelsea captain, became a shareholder in Hashtag United in 2018. Initially a YouTube football team, Hashtag United has evolved into a club competing in the English pyramid. Azpilicueta was drawn to the club's ambitious vision and community-focused approach.\n\nHector Bellerin, the former Arsenal and Spain full-back, has invested in Forest Green Rovers, a club renowned for its sustainability and veganism initiatives. Bellerin's investment aligns with his environmental activism.\n\nMark Palios, a former midfielder, owns Tranmere Rovers, where he has served as chairman since 2014. Prior to his ownership, Palios spent over two decades in the club's playing ranks.\n\nLuka Modric, currently a player, has also entered club ownership. He is part of an investment consortium that acquired a stake in Swansea City in 2025. Modric's role is primarily that of an investor, but his involvement highlights the increasing interest of football players in English club ownership.\n\nWilfried Zaha, a former Crystal Palace star, co-invested in AFC Croydon Athletic alongside musician Stormzy and businessman Danny Young. The club, based in South London, competes in the lower tiers of English football.\n\nEric Cantona, the former Manchester United forward, has a unique ownership experience with FC United of Manchester, a fan-owned club. Cantona became a co-owner, adding to the collective ownership structure of the club.\n\nAndy Carroll, the former Newcastle United and England striker, took a different route into ownership. While still playing, Carroll became a shareholder in Dagenham & Redbridge, combining his career as a player with his role as an investor.\n\nAlexandre Pato, a former Brazilian striker, is another example of a player entering English club ownership. He became the public face of a consortium that took over Northampton Town in 2025, giving the club a high-profile Brazilian and European connection.\n\nGilbert Ekugbe, a journalist at Punch Newspapers, highlights these examples of former players making the transition from the pitch to the boardroom, showcasing the evolving landscape of English football ownership.",
  "summary": "Discover former football stars like David Beckham, Gary Neville, and Wilfried Zaha who have transitioned from the pitch to the boardroom by owning football Read More: https://punchng.com/from-pitch-to-boardroom-ex-players-who-own-football-clubs/",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "From pitch to boardroom: Ex-players who own football clubs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/from-pitch-to-boardroom-ex-players-who-own-football-clubs",
        "published": "2026-10-04T19:14:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}