‘Respect For History’: J.J. Watt, Kealia Watt Invest In 140-Year-Old Burnley FC
Monday, May 1, 2023 at 06:58PM By Barry Janoff
Photo: Burnley FCMay 1, 2023: Following in the footsteps of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, actors who acquired Wales soccer club Wrexham, recently retired NFL All-Pro J.J. Watt and his wife, former NWSL and USWNT star Kealia Watt, have invested in the men’s and women’s Lancashire-based Burnley Football Club.
“I’m officially retiring from retirement,” Watt posted to special media. “Kind of. Just watch.”
Financial terms were not released. But Watt posted, “Not like Ryan Reynolds. We don’t have ‘buy an entire European football club’ kind of money. We’re more along the lines of minority investment. But massive emotional investment.”
Like Wrexham, which won its league title and is being promoted, Burnley FC, a member of the second-tier EFL Championship, won its league title this past season and is being promoted to the Premier League next season.
Founded in 1882, Burnley FC, nicknamed The Clarets, play in 22,000-seat Turf Moor.
“When you invest in a club that’s been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and tradition,” J.J. and Kealia Watt said via the club.
Also like Reynolds and McElhenney, the Watts said they plan to “help grow the profile of the club internationally, while also spending time in the local community.”
“We understand that not only are we investing in the squad and manager, we’re investing in the town and its people. We take that responsibility very seriously and intend to work hard in earning their trust and support.
“We have such great respect for what has been built here by Alan (Pace, chairman of Burnley FC), Vincent (Kompany, club manager) and the entire organization and are looking forward to working with them,” they said.
“We believe that Burnley is a special club with incredible supporters and we want to help continue to elevate its global profile on its return to the Premier League.”
Watt, who retired following the 2023 NFL season, played for the Houston Texans (2011-2020) and Arizona Cardinals (2021-22), was a five-time Pro Bowler and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Kealia Watt played with the NWSL Houston Dash (2014-19) and Chicago Red Stars (2020-21) and has has represented the U.S. on the under-17, under-20, under-23 and USWNT squads.
Kealia Watt said promoting the Burnley FC women’s club is of equal priority to supporting the men’s side.
“In the U.S., I’ve seen the NWSL grow into something really incredible, and we’d love to be a part of growing the women’s team here and be a part of their journey,” she said via the club.”
According to Pace via Burnley FC, “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome JJ and Kealia into the Clarets family. This is a conversation that has been happening for some time and over the course of this season we’ve been hugely impressed by their passion and interest in both the club and the Burnley community. I am very much looking forward to working with them.
“Both J.J. and Kealia bring with them an incredible amount of top-level sporting pedigree and success, as well as ideas and connections that will be invaluable in helping us to continue telling the Clarets story to an international audience.”
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