Russell Westbrook follows in LeBron James’ footsteps by investing in English football

Russell Westbrook has become the latest high profile American to take an ownership stake in English football. 

The LA Clippers point guard had previously seen former team-mate at the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James, hold a minority stake at Liverpool.

Now, Westbrook is involved with the 49ers Group, and as such he holds a stake in Leeds United.

‘I was lucky enough to have conversations with some of the partners that already have ownership in the 49ers,’ Westbrook said during Thursday’s panel at the Variety and Sportico Sports & Entertainment Summit in West Hollywood. 

‘I also called a couple friends, like Thomas Tull, who is a good friend of mine, and my business partner as well. We wanted to figure out if this was the right deal and how we can make it different than other ones.’

The LA Clippers point guard is taking a minority stake in Championship side Leeds United

Fellow NBA players, New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr, and Indiana Pacers guard TJ McConnell, are also part of the investor group in Leeds, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani reached an agreement to sell his stake in the club to 49ers Enterprises in June.

49ers Enterprises already own 44 per cent of Leeds and are buying Radrizzani’s 56 per cent majority stake, valuing the club at $221million. 

Their president, Paraag Marathe, will become the club’s new chairman. 

It had already been confirmed that top golf players Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth have also become stakeholders in the West Yorkshire club.

‘Relegation wasn’t ideal,’ Spieth said recently, ‘but we got involved with the 49ers group about purchasing a larger share and getting in with them doing things so successfully as they do everywhere they’ve touched.

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani has reached agreement to sell his stake to 49ers Enterprises 

Westbrook follows in the footsteps of former team-mate LeBron James, pictured here at Anfield in 2011 when he first bought a stake in the Premier League side

‘We thought it would be a cool opportunity. It’s a big city, historic club, great venue in Elland Road, and once we looked into it we realized it could be really exciting.’

American investment into English football is nothing new.

Former NFL players Malcolm Jenkins and JJ Watt hold minority stakes in Burnley, while Hollywood actor Michael B Jordan is part of the group that own AFC Bournemouth.

It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor Rob McElhenney, along with Canadian A-Lister Ryan Reynolds, are co-chairman of Wrexham AFC, also.