Actors, athletes and other celebrities have flocked to MLS in recent years as soccer in the United States grows its reach
What do David Beckham, Matthew McConaughey and Ciara have in common? Aside from superfans around the world and bank accounts with far more digits than the average person, the celebrities are also MLS investors.
There's a growing number of celebrities putting their money behind the league, an indication that it is in a far healthier place than it once was.
GOAL takes a look at who owns every MLS club below.
Kevin C. CoxAtlanta United
One of the biggest commercial success stories of MLS expansion, Atlanta United have routinely led in attendance as co-inhabitants of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Their principal owner is Arthur Blank, who co-founded Home Depot and also owns the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.
Primary owner: Arthur Blank
AdvertisementGoalAustin FC
Austin FC were initially set to be villains as MLS planned to relocate the regionally beloved Columbus Crew to Texas, however an agreement was reached to keep the Crew in Ohio and create Austin FC as a separate expansion entity.
They are still in the early days of writing their MLS story, but the presence of actor Matthew McConaughey as a minority owner has raised their profile.
McConaughey goes to matches and is an active participant in the club from a marketing standpoint.
Primary owner: Two Oak Ventures
Celebrity investors: Matthew McConaughey
Getty ImagesCharlotte FC
Like Atlanta United, Charlotte FC's ownership model is all about carrying a stake in an entire sports ecosystem rather than a single team.
Charlotte FC's owner, David Tepper, also owns the Carolina Panthers, and the franchises currently play at the same venue (Bank of America Stadium).
Primary owner: David Tepper
Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire have endured disastrous attendance figures and on-field play in recent times, having made the postseason just once over the past decade while struggling to get approval to build a stadium of their own.
So, Joe Mansueto still has a big job ahead of him after acquiring a majority stake in the Fire in 2018. The founder of financial services company Morningstar will continue to push for a better home than the aging Soldier Field, shared with the NFL's Chicago Bears, by either getting approval for a new venue (a path so far unsuccessful) or by renovating Soldier Field if the Bears move out.
Primary owner: Joe Mansueto