Tiger Woods has been urged to follow in the footsteps of fellow US sports legends Tom Brady and JJ Watt by investing in a British football powerhouse like Manchester United
Tiger Woods has been encouraged to buy a stake in a Premier League giant like Man United(Image: Carmen Mandato/TGL, TGL Golf via Getty Images)
Premier League legend Brad Friedel has suggested Tiger Woods would be a coup for a club like Manchester United if they could attract his investment. Nevertheless, he’d rather see the golfing icon land at a different English powerhouse altogether.
Recent years have seen numerous prominent sportspeople and celebrities becoming involved in the ownership of British football clubs. NFL icons Tom Brady and JJ Watt have thrived since acquiring shares in Birmingham City and Burnley, respectively.
Meanwhile, Wrexham have climbed through the divisions under the stewardship of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. And the actor duo have capitalised on their commercial successes off the field to help fuel results on it.
This shift in the ownership environment prompted remarks from former Premier League striker Matt Jansen, who suggested a personality like Woods would flourish if he pursued a comparable venture. Former Liverpool shot-stopper Friedel, who is also a fan of the Merseysiders, agreed it would represent a major signing for any elite club to secure such a prominent figure.
“I saw Matt Jansen say he’d like Tiger Woods to take over Man United,” he told Mr-gamble.com (via The Mirror). “I would prefer he does not go to Old Trafford. But it would be brilliant for the Premier League if he did. Go to Liverpool instead, Tiger!”
Despite the initial enthusiasm around Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority acquisition of United, results have yet to improve under the British billionaire’s leadership. What’s more, the Red Devils have recorded their two poorest Premier League finishes since he began overseeing the club’s operations in early 2024.
Tom Brady has inspired success since purchasing a minority stake in Birmingham City(Image: Getty Images)
It was in August of this year three-time Blackburn Player of the Season Jansen, who was previously linked with United, praised the emerging investment approach in British football. He highlighted figures such as Woods and NBA legend Michael Jordan as examples of iconic athletes who could bring valuable influence at the elite level.
“I think Tom Brady is a good one,” he told BettingLounge.co.uk. “Maybe Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, people who’ve been at the top of their sport, the No. 1 in their sport, will always be impressive and can relate a little bit more to football than the music industry.
“It could be any club, couldn’t it? But the likes of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods would probably be looking at Liverpool, Chelsea or Man United, those kinds of clubs. They’re that big a star. So is Tom Brady, but Birmingham are really putting their money where their mouth is. I think they’ll be a force this season.
Ryan Reynolds (R) and Rob McElhenney have turned Wrexham into a competitive and commercial success(Image: PA)
“They could target clubs in the EFL. Look at what Wrexham started and they’ve been a success. It’ll be other people putting it to the likes of Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods, rather than them approaching clubs.”
Jansen proceeded to highlight the current dissatisfaction with Ratcliffe’s stewardship of the Red Devils. While Woods might lack expertise in footballing matters, he predicted the 15-time major winner’s “aura could bring success.”
Woods’ potential arrival at Old Trafford could prove to be an ideal partnership, although Jansen also floated the possibility of him mounting a takeover bid at Lancashire neighbours Blackburn. He said Rovers find themselves “in a bit of a mess” under current owners Venky’s and might embrace the financial backing of a sporting tycoon.
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