By Sam Bailey
The English football League has gained massive interest over recent years with Americans now beginning to take over many proud football league clubs.
Birmingham and Wrexham have both just gained promotion to the championship and are perfect examples of successful American investment.
Over the years, League one has been a competitive league, but recently the quality and money spent is as high as ever.
“When you look at League one now compared to around 10 years the level of football has increased dramatically” said EFL podcaster and journalist Ali Maxwell.
This season Birmingham vs Wrexham has now been labelled as the ‘Hollywood derby’.
With Tom Brady having shares in Birmingham and Ryan Reynolds having shares in Wrexham, these two clubs have huge budgets for this level.
However, significant investment from American owners doesn’t always contribute to success.
Carlisle United is a perfect example of this: After being taken over in January 2024 by an American family, they have seen their team suffer back-to-back relegations.
“Carlisle United are a fair-sized club for League two and it goes to show that chucking money at everything doesn’t always work,” said Ali Maxwell.
Many American owners come over to England with a lot of money, but Carlisle have used their money badly and the repercussions are huge with them dropping out of the Football League for the first time in 20 years.
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Their owners, the Piatek family, have contributed a lot of money, with the club having the highest wage budget in the league but unfortunately many bad descions have seen the Cumbria club fallout of the EFL.
What is next for Birmingham and Wrexham?
Two teams who have had a sensational season will play in the Championship next season.
With Birmingham City achieving a record points tally in League one they are certainly coming up with their tails up.
One of the Blues’ part owners Tom Wagner has already claimed that the club is already looking ahead and believes that he can take Birmingham back to the premier League.
“For me Birmingham City is a bit of a sleeping giant, with their strong financial backing I think they have a great chance of challenging for promotion again,” claimed Ali Maxwell.
Wrexham, who have been heavily backed by Hollywood money, have recently achieved a third promotion in a row.
With Wrexham’s famous owner Ryan Reynolds in charge, the Red Dragons have used their money wisely.
Being able to attract ex-premier League stars such as Steven Fletcher and Jay Rodirguez just highlights the success of American investment.
These two clubs have seen their popularity sore with more people coming through the turnstiles from across the globe.
Over in America, these two clubs are now a major factor for football growing in America and will help to provide these clubs with extra revenue.
How is American ownership changing the complexion of English football?
Prenton Park, Tranmere who currently play in League two have been heavily linked with American investment
With the recent success stories amongst EFL clubs, richer investors are keen to take over from the other side of the Atlantic.
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“For smaller clubs living off smaller wage bills like Accrington and Morecambe, American ownerships may overwhelm them, but they just need to focus on themselves right now and not what everyone is doing,” said Ali Maxwell.
Celebrity names are keen to get involved with lower league clubs including ASAP Rocky who is on the verge of taking over Tranmere Rovers.
With Tranmere currently sitting in League two, it goes to show how competitive the English football pyramid is when star-studded names are attracted to clubs like Tranmere.
A consortium led by Donald Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina has gained strong interest in recent months with Rhianna also set to be involved.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/league-two
Clearly, some clubs are at a significant advantage over others with wealthy ownership.
Recently, the EFL have brought in a salary cap on players’ wages which would give clubs with a bigger budget more control.
“It is vital that the EFL keep some strict measures in place to stop wealthy clubs gaining a huge advantage and I think this is what the fans want to see” claimed Ali Maxwell.
American ownership is taking control and will be here for a long to come. Many owners come in with a project and plan to take clubs lower down the pyramid up the leagues with many eyeing up a shot at the premier league.
https://onefootball.com/en/competition/efl-league-two-43
This will soon be the future of English football as it’s predicted that within the next 10 years that all clubs will be American owned.
In the USA, they have ambitious plans about how they want to run lower league football clubs and could be responsible for changing the structure of the game going forward.
