Snoop Dogg Joins Swansea City as Co-Owner

American hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg, aged 54, has officially joined Swansea City, a club in the English Football League Championship, as a co-owner and investor. The club announced this exciting news on July 18, stating that Snoop Dogg's passion for football is well-known. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, 'Taking my first step as a club owner is something special for me.' To celebrate his involvement, Swansea City has unveiled a mural of Snoop Dogg at their home stadium.

Swansea City is notable for having previously featured South Korean player Ki Sung-yueng (기성용), who is now 36 years old, during their time in the English Premier League (EPL). Currently, the club includes Um Ji-sung (엄지성), a 23-year-old player. Additionally, Croatian football legend Luka Modrić (루카 모드리치), who recently transferred from Real Madrid to AC Milan, is also a co-owner of Swansea City.

The trend of celebrities becoming involved in football ownership is growing. For instance, Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds (라이언 레이놀즈), known for his role in 'Deadpool,' purchased the English fifth-tier team Wrexham in 2021 and successfully led them to promotion to the second tier in April. This journey was documented in the popular Disney+ series 'Welcome to Wrexham.' Furthermore, Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey (매튜 매코너헤이) is a co-owner of MLS team Austin FC, while actress Natalie Portman (내털리 포트먼) co-owns the U.S. women's soccer team Angel City FC.

Sports stars are also making their mark as football club owners. David Beckham (데이비드 베컴), a renowned British footballer, is a co-owner of MLS team Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi (리오넬 메시) currently plays. NBA superstar LeBron James (르브론 제임스) holds shares in EPL club Liverpool, and Kevin Durant (케빈 듀랜트) has a stake in French club Paris Saint-Germain. NFL legend Tom Brady (톰 브래디) is also involved as a shareholder of English second-tier club Birmingham City.

For celebrities, investing in professional football clubs is seen as a stable opportunity. With a strong fan base, football clubs tend to appreciate in value, generating consistent revenue from broadcasting rights and merchandise sales. Swansea City expressed hope that Snoop Dogg's global recognition will play a significant role in promoting the club's brand worldwide.