Entertainment

Actor Michael B Jordan buys stake in Bournemouth football club

The club announced on Tuesday that billionaire Bill Foley’s takeover has been ratified by the league and that the Creed actor has a minority stake.
The club announced on Tuesday that billionaire Bill Foley’s takeover has been ratified by the league and that the Creed actor has a minority stake.

American actor Michael B Jordan is part of the new ownership group of Premier League club Bournemouth.

The club announced on Tuesday that billionaire Bill Foley’s takeover has been ratified by the league and that the Creed actor has a minority stake.

Previous owner Maxim Demin sold his 100% stake to Black Knight Football Club, of which Foley is the managing general partner.

Foley’s Cannae Holdings announced in a separate statement that the Las Vegas-based firm paid 126 million dollars (£102 million) for a 50.1% stake in the partnership.

Bill Foley file photo
Billionaire Bill Foley’s takeover of Bournemouth has been ratified by the league and Michael B Jordan has a minority stake (Adam Davy/PA)

Foley, a 77-year-old American businessman who also owns the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, will assume the role of chairman of Bournemouth.

Jordan, who also starred in Black Panther and Just Mercy, will work with Foley “in areas including global marketing and internationalisation of the club,” Cannae’s announcement said.

Foley, who is chairman of Cannae, plans to attend 14th place Bournemouth’s next home game — against Crystal Palace on New Year’s Eve.

“We are thrilled to enter the vast European football market at an attractively priced valuation,” Foley said in Cannae’s statement.

“We can use what we learned in building the Vegas Golden Knights to create value for shareholders and fans at Bournemouth,” he continued.

“English football is a growth industry, and we see an opportunity to grow this historic club by investing in its infrastructure and operations with the goal of steering Bournemouth to a long-awaited leading role in the Premier League and global football.”

Bournemouth is back in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season and has the smallest stadium in the English top flight, with a capacity of just 11,364.

Neither the club nor Cannae’s statements included a comment from Jordan.