Surge in U.S. Ownership and Sponsorship Signals a New Era for Global Football

Over the past five years, the Premier League, the top professional association football (soccer) league in England, has witnessed an extraordinary transformation. A new wave of American investment and marketing muscle is reshaping the league’s economic landscape.

Ownership Boom: 13 Clubs Now Feature American Investment

The influence of American stakeholders in the Premier League has accelerated dramatically. As of 2025, U.S. investors ranging from private equity firms to individual owners now hold stakes in 13 clubs that have participated in the league over the past five seasons. This includes:

• Full ownership of major clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, Leeds United,  AFC Bournemouth, and Fulham.
• Majority ownership in Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton, Burnley, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa.
• Minority stakes in, Manchester City, and West Ham United.

This growing American footprint is positioning the U.S. not just as a major viewer market, but a structural power player in world football.

*The deal is pending approval by the Premier League‍

Sponsorship Surge: U.S. Brands More Than Double Their Presence

The influx of American dollars isn’t limited to club ownership. Over the last five years, the number of American brands activating sponsorships in the Premier League has surged over 100% over the past 5 years.

Among the top U.S. brands making a splash are:

• Monster Energy
• Energizer
• Gorilla Glue
• DeWalt
• Kraken

Brand partnerships like Corpay x West Ham United and Visit Tampa Bay x Brentford illustrate how American companies are leveraging the Premier League’s vast global reach to enhance visibility and brand equity. Within the Corpay deal with West Ham, the brand received assets on the backdrop banner, digital ads on the interior of the stadium, as well as sponsoring player meet and greets along with social posts.

The American Playbook: EPL Adopts U.S.-Style Broadcast Enhancements

With American investors and sponsors playing a leading role, the Premier League is also taking cues from U.S. sports broadcast innovations. For the upcoming 2025–26 season, the EPL has announced new in-game media features including:

1. Interviews with players who get subbed off
2. Halftime interviews
3. Dressing room camera access

These enhancements—widely used across major U.S. sports leagues like the NFL and NHL—are poised to elevate fan engagement and create new inventory for brand integration.

Examples from across American sports include:

• Cross Insurance x New England Patriots – Player Interview Sponsor
• Atlassian x New York Knicks
• Nissan x Calgary Flames – Dressing Room Interview Sponsor

Looking Ahead

As the Premier League evolves to accommodate this American influx, expect to see deeper integration of U.S.-style marketing, ownership models, and fan experience strategies. The surge in investment and innovation from the U.S. is not just a moment, it’s a movement, signaling a bold new era for the world’s game.

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