Hollywood star worth £95m becomes part-owner of Leeds United as they aim for return to Premier League
RUSSELL Crowe has become part-owner of Leeds United as the club aims for a return to the Premier League.
The Whites announced their takeover by the 49ers Enterprises last summer.
Swimmer Michael Phelps, who won 23 Olympic golds, and golf superstar Jordan Spieth were among the names who joined in the buy-out.
But now it has emerged that the Hollywood actor, 59, also has a financial stake in the club.
Leeds announced the Oscar winner's summer gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Hyde Park on X, formerly Twitter.
In response one user suggested Crowe "put his money" into League Two outfit Wrexham - owned by fellow Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
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The Gladiator actor then denied being associated with Wrexham instead saying he put money into his beloved Leeds.
He replied: "I don't have any part of what's going on in Wrexham man.
"I'm really impressed with Ryan and Rob, and what they are achieving, but I'm not part of that.
"I do however have a very small connection now financially to LUFC via the 49er family. So, yeah, exactly… but opposite."
Crowe is a huge fan of the Elland Road club, having been hooked watching Match of the Day as a kid in his native New Zealand.
He even considered buying the club in 2015, calling them a sleeping dinosaur at the time.
But after weighing up the family sacrifice he would have to make, the Beautiful Mind actor decided against it.
The superstar has a net value of almost £95million.
The American group - the business arm of NFL team the San Francisco 49ers - have gradually increased investment in the Elland Road club since 2018.
It follows Wrexham's transformation - and return to the EFL - after Reynolds and McElhenney took over in February 2021.
Leeds United currently sit third in the Championship table behind league-leaders Leicester City and Ipswich Town.
Move over Ryan Reynolds…
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She was also named as an honorary president - alongside ex-politician David Miliband - and her involvement in the club hasn't stopped there.
The Power hitmaker designed a limited edition football strip for the club and joined LGBTQ+ inclusion workshops at the stadium.
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The site reported the team was 'purchased' for "a token sum" but they believed Stormzy and his pals would "be providing the kind of investment which the club's fans, players and backroom staff could, until now, only dream about".
Michael B Jordan - AFC Bournemouth
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LeBron James - Liverpool FC
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Just over a decade later, LeBron and business partner Maverick Carter exchanged their stake for a part-ownership of Fenway Sports Group (FSG) for an undisclosed fee.