Former NFL player J.J. Watt and his wife, former international soccer player Kealia Watt, announced on Monday that they are investing in English soccer club Burnley FC.
Burnley earned automatic promotion to the Premier League at the start of April after just one season in the Second Division, finishing first in the Championship. The couple said they look forward to strengthening Burnley’s international presence and contributing to the life of the community.
“When you invest in a club that has been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and its tradition,” they said in a statement. “We understand that we are not only investing in the team and the manager, but also in the city and its people”. Chairman Alan Pace said the couple would bring considerable sporting achievement and pedigree to the club and help attract an international following.
“It’s been a conversation that’s been going on for some time and over the course of this season we’ve been very impressed with their passion and concern for the club and the Burnley community.” Financial details of the investment were not disclosed. Watt, a three-time National Football League Defensive Player of the Year, announced his retirement in December. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time.
Kealia Watt played for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League and is currently a free agent. Burnley is owned by Burnley FC Holdings Limited, with Calder Vale Holdings owning 83.97% of the company and individual shareholders holding the remaining shares.
