Celebrity investments in football are nothing new, but in recent years the sport has been seeing more and more examples – the latest case sees Ed Sheeran take a minority stake in Ipswich Town.
The singer grew up in Suffolk county, where Ipswitch is located, and is a life-long Ipswich Town fan. For some who are more astute in the niche history of where football meets music, this may seem similar to Elton John’s long-held stake in Watford FC.
Unlike his contemporary, Sheeran will not have a role on the Ipswich Town board due to being a minority investor – in contrast, John was the Chairman of Watford for 14 years between 1976 and 1990.
Sheeran’s stake in the club amounts to 1.4%, acquired through the club’s majority owner, parent firm Gamechanger 20 Ltd, which took full control of the team back in 2021. A term of Sheeran’s ownership includes the use of a personalised exclusive box at the Portman Road stadium. The singer has previously partnered with the club as a shirt sponsor.
“I am really excited to have bought a small percentage of my hometown football club,” Sheeran remarked in a club statement. “It’s any football fan’s dream to be an owner of the club they support, and I feel so grateful for this opportunity.
“I have lived in Suffolk since I was three years old and, while I travel the world and sometimes feel like an outsider in big cities, Suffolk and Ipswich have always made me feel part of the community and protected. It’s such a joy to be a fan of Ipswich Town. There are ups and downs but football is all about taking the highs and the lows.
“I’m not a voting shareholder or a board member, this is just me putting some money into the club I love and then returning the gesture, so please don’t get onto me with signing suggestions or tactics to play! I’m excited for the Premier League to start this weekend. Let’s go!”
Sheeran’s purchase of a small stake in Ipswich comes ahead of the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season, starting tomorrow. Ipswich is making its return to the top-flight for the first time since 2002.
The club will find that finances has become one of the most challenging aspects of staying in the top-flight. This has always been the case – revenue, and more importantly management of this revenue, is needed to ensure the right players, after all.
Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), however, have made these even more important, as seen by the points deductions faced by Nottingham Forest and Everton. A celebrity investment may help Ipswich in this regard, potentially drawing in new commercial partners.
Mark Ashton, Ipswitch Town Chairman, said: “This is an incredibly proud day for the football club. The support Ed and his team have shown us over the last three years has been nothing short of remarkable and for him to make this investment in the Club feels like the natural progression in our relationship.
“For one of the biggest artists in the world to give us so much of his time and give the Club such incredible exposure around the world, while asking for very little in return, highlights just what makes this relationship such a special one.
“It’s been a pleasure to get to know Ed and his team over the last three years and we look forward to building our relationship further now as the Club enters the Premier League.”
