It has been over 250 years since America declared independence from British authority with the Declaration of Independence.
However, a revolution is taking place on the other side of the Atlantic, with Tom Brady becoming the latest soccer-crazed American to invest in English sport.
After becoming a joint owner of Birmingham City, the 46-year-old NFL icon is the latest US superstar to put his own money into a British team.
SunSport’s Anthony Chapman looks at Brady and some of his fellow Americans who have spent money to bring a taste of Uncle Sam to our shores…
TOM BRADY – BIRMINGHAM CITY
A RECORD SEVEN-TIME SUPER BOWL WINNER has made a transfer to the Championship by investing in Birmingham City.
Brady, who is said to be worth £400 million, will report directly to the club’s board after “entering into a partnership” with new owner Knighthead Capital Management LLC.
The superstar, who recently retired from the NFL after a stellar 23-year career, confessed he has “a lot to learn” about the English game.
And he’s sure to learn with a glamorous companion at his side, having been linked to Kim Kardashian and Irina Shayk after his divorce from Gisele Bundchen.
WREXHAM’S RYAN REYNOLDS AND ROB McELHENNEY
THE HOLLYWOOD film star and cult comedy icon teamed together in unexpected circumstances to purchase then-non-league Welsh club Wrexham for £2 million in 2021.
Reynolds and his American partner McElhenney, both 46, captured the ups and downs of football ownership in the TV show ‘Welcome to Wrexham.’
However, after suffering play-off heartbreak in their first season, the American couple shed tears of delight as their team won the National League title in April.
Wrexham are already dreaming of League Two greatness after playing giants like Chelsea and Manchester United in a pre-season tour of the United States.
JAMES LEBRON – LIVERPOOL
ARGUABLY the greatest basketball player in history, James joined Liverpool in the Premier League 12 years ago.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer purchased a 2% interest in the Reds before purchasing an unspecified number of shares in 2021.
Following Liverpool’s 2019 title win under Jurgen Klopp, James, 38, even helped debut the club’s new Nike kit.
And, as a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox, he will be hoping that his four NBA titles would inspire the Reds to victory this season.
BURNLEY – JJ WATT
YET ANOTHER NFL star who has switched from an oval to a round ball.
The famous defensive lineman, 34, joined Burnley earlier this year after Vincent Kompany’s side secured their return to the Premier League.
Watt and his wife Kealia’s investment resulted in a minority share in Turf Moor.
However, the Houston Texans legend was jokingly excluded from the introduction of Burnley’s new jersey, with the Clarets claiming Watt couldn’t be trusted to keep the design a secret from social media supporters.
JORDAN MICHAEL B. – BOURNEMOUTH
Jordan, an SCREEN ACTORS GUILD award winner, was part of Bill Foley’s consortium that gave Bournemouth an early Christmas present in December with a £150 million takeover.
Jordan, who starred in the Rocky spin-off Creed, knows a thing or two about overcoming adversity in sports.
He’ll be praying that the Cherries’ season doesn’t end out like The Wire, having played a key role in Season 1 of the hit HBO show.
Jordan, 36, will give Bournemouth tremendous clout in luring their top targets after being nominated twice to Time Magazine’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people.