Owning a soccer club appears to be trendy. From Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney purchasing a team to Serena and Alexis Ohanian owning NWSL’s Angel City, this trend is growing. Recently, JJ Watt joined in by investing in Burnley. When asked about his decision to own a soccer club, Watt revealed that his inspiration came not only from “starting to follow Chelsea,” but also from his admiration for Didier Drogba.
This surprising revelation came during an interview with Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, and Kate Abdo on CBS Sports Golazo. Abdo inquired about Watt’s thoughts on owning a soccer club, to which he responded, “I became a fan of the Premier League back in 2010-2011. I enjoy playing FIFA.” Watt then expressed his deep admiration for a soccer legend, stating, “I love watching Drogba and Ivory Coast. Every time I wondered, ‘Where is Drogba playing?’ That’s when I started following Chelsea.”
Watt emphasized that his connection to soccer began early, as his wife, Kealia Watt, plays for the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL. He explained, “Towards the end of my career, I wanted to become an owner. I wasn’t sure how or where. I explored opportunities in the USL, MLS, and then the chance to join the Premier League came along. It ticked every box and felt like a perfect match. I genuinely love this sport, and it is my true passion.” Watt also revealed that his love for Chelsea began while playing FIFA.
However, Watt’s affinity for soccer doesn’t end with Chelsea. When he disclosed his fandom for the Blues, he also acknowledged the possibility of supporting other teams. He mentioned, “They could also show pictures of me holding up a Manchester City kit because Sergio Aguero is my friend, or a Tottenham Hotspur kit because Harry Kane is my friend.”
Despite this, Watt expressed his comfort with the situation and remained optimistic about his investment in the $750 million club. He believes that Burnley is the right club for him because it provides him with the opportunity to make a difference, unlike other larger clubs.
In any case, it will be interesting to see how “The Milk Man” supports his beloved team as a stakeholder.
According to the Source essentiallysports.com