Eva Longoria has officially entered the world of soccer investment, joining forces with Hollywood heavyweights Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney to acquire a significant stake in the Colombian team La Equidad. This dynamic trio, along with other notable investors including Justin Verlander and Kate Upton, has purchased 99% of the club for over $30 million, marking yet another chapter in the growing trend of celebrity involvement in global soccer.
Longoria, whose career catapulted with her iconic role on Desperate Housewives, has been vocal about her desire to bring more attention and sponsorships to her investments. “My approach to it is as an entrepreneur,” she explained to The Athletic. “We can do a good investment and at the same time I can make a difference with my platform to get more press, sponsorships and media coverage to help the investment.”
The actress, who attended Wrexham's season opener against Wycombe last year, has shown consistent support for Reynolds and McElhenney’s trendsetting ventures. They previously made headlines with their purchase of the Welsh film club Wrexham and their significant investment in Mexico's Club Necaxa.
Longoria's foray is fueled by her belief in the richness of sports storytelling. “I feel like sports is entertainment. Storytelling through soccer is so powerful because the stakes are so high,” she said. Echoing her thoughts on the inherent drama within sports, she added, “You could never write this. I was like, 'Wow, this is the biggest soap opera I've ever seen.' Every player has a story. Every team has a story. Every town has a story.”
Longoria is rising among the cadre of North American celebrities investing heavily, as many recognize the potential for growth and impact within the soccer sphere. After the success of the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, which chronicles Reynolds and McElhenney’s efforts with their Welsh club, Necaxa's executives are set to produce their own series, titled Bienvenido a Necaxa, which will air on FX and Disney+ Latin America.
Among the executive producers for the docuseries is Longoria herself, who promises to be hands-on with the production, expressing excitement about her role. She aims to closely monitor matches and engage continuously with the coaching staff and players. “I sat with Sam and Al in New York. Sam is the Moneyball guy, like the Bill Gates of sports. I know Colombia is a country with a very rich soccer history and immense talent,” she reflected on her learning experience.
Longoria revealed the appeal of approaching sports ownership through data analytics, emphasizing how fascinating it is to analyze players, wins, losses, rankings, and playoff positions. “It’s been interesting to approach sports with this analytical lens instead of just being like, 'My favorite team is Real Madrid or the Dallas Cowboys.' But to really get granular and analytical about players... I just get blown away by the process,” she stated, hinting at her long-term commitment to this venture.
While the documentary format has proven to raise interest and support around sports teams, Longoria acknowledged the need for caution. She pointed out the differences between the teams and their local cultures and expressed her intention to visit Bogota personally before deciding on any promotional television project for La Equidad.
McElhenney chimed in, expressing his view on the unifying potential of sports across varied cultural and geographical divides. “When you look at Necaxa, Wrexham and La Equidad, they have traditionally been good, there’s a rich history, but they don’t have the resources of the top clubs. We look for similar identifying principles... if you are a fan of Wrexham, you should be a fan of Necaxa or La Equidad,” he remarked, promoting the notion of connecting fans globally.
This investment by Longoria and her collaborators signifies more than just financial interest; it's part of a larger narrative where celebrity engagement transforms the soccer industry, enhancing visibility and potentially creating new growth narratives for the clubs involved. With the entertainment and sports industries increasingly interlinked, Longoria's endeavors may inspire more public figures to tread the path she and her colleagues have blazed.
Longoria’s venture appears increasingly pivotal as North American celebrities hone their influence not only for personal gain but also for the elevation of the soccer narrative as they bring their fame to benefit the sport’s growth and visibility. Adapting business acumen and impact strategies, these celebrities continue to reframe sports ownership, from profitability to community enrichment.