How Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner convinced Will Ferrell to invest in Leeds
Michael Eisner has been the owner of Portsmouth for eight years and has overseen substantial changes at Fratton Park.
On the pitch, Pompey achieved promotion to the Championship and survived at the first attempt under John Mousinho.
Off the field, Eisner has significantly developed Fratton Park so that it can now accommodate over 20,000 supporters.
Since his takeover, there has been a trend of celebrities investing in football clubs, including Will Ferrell at Leeds United.
Eisner played a role in Ferrell’s investment in Leeds
Eisner has played a pivotal role in Portsmouth’s resurgence, while several EFL clubs have suffered at the hands of their owners.
Both Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City have been placed under embargo amid worrying developments at the Championship clubs.
As Pompey prepare for their opener against Oxford United (9 August), there has been positive news regarding supporters.
| Date | Opponent |
| Oxford United | (A) |
| Norwich City | (H) |
| West Brom | (A) |
| Preston North End | (H) |
That is because 12,000 season tickets have been renewed at Fratton Park ahead of the new campaign.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Leeds are preparing for the Premier League season and have Ferrell as one of their investors.
Indeed, Eisner invited Ferrell to matches leading to his investment in Leeds, according to Forbes (4 August).
Eisner was one of the first celebrities to invest in a football club, with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney investing in Wrexham, while Michael B Jordan has done so at Bournemouth.
It is known that Pompey’s owner is a devoted football fan, which separates him from several others.
Snoop Dogg continues celebrity trend with Swansea City
This summer, Snoop Dogg became a minority co-owner of Swansea City, joining the Welsh club’s American-led ownership group.
The American rapper expressed a deep personal connection to the Swans, describing them as a “proud, working-class city and club” with an “underdog spirit” that resonates with his journey, according to the Los Angeles Times (18 July).
He highlighted the Welsh club’s resilience and determination as key factors that drew him to invest.
- Ferrell invested in Leeds after attending matches with Eisner
- Wrexham are owned by a Hollywood duo
- Snoop Dogg has since invested in Swansea
Like Portsmouth, Swansea will be striving to make progress on the pitch in what will be a competitive Championship season.
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