SUMMARY
- American retired defensive end Justin James Watt spent 12 seasons in the National Football League, mostly with the Houston Texans.
- In May 2023, J.J Watt along with his wife, Kealia Watt to everyone's surprise announced a purchase of a minority stake in the English Premier League club, Burnley FC.
American retired defensive end Justin James Watt spent 12 seasons in the National Football League, mostly with the Houston Texans. After playing college football for Wisconsin and Central Michigan, he was chosen in the very first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Texans. He is a very respected and highly rated athlete by the people of America and has done a lot for the NFL.
However, in May 2023, J.J Watt along with his wife, Kealia Watt to everyone’s surprise announced a purchase of a minority stake in the English Premier League club, Burnley FC. Watt said on social media that he is “officially retiring from retirement” due to his passion for “football”—this time, “European football”—in a funny video that the pair posted.
Incredibly excited to be joining the @BurnleyOfficial ownership group (and for JJ to have something to do 😂😂) UP THE CLARETS!!! pic.twitter.com/DRIMxPo6oX
— Kealia Ohai Watt (@KealiaOhai) May 1, 2023
“When you invest in a club that’s been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and tradition. 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,” Watts said in a press release.
Burnley FC Holdings Limited is the company that owns Burnley; individual owners control the remaining shares, while Calder Vale Holdings owns 83.97% of the business. Hence, the actual stake owned by the NFL star J.J Watt and his wife is yet to be revealed.
Watt makes fun in the video at one point, saying that he “wants to be Ryan Reynolds,” the co-owner of the Welsh football team Wrexham AFC, the focus of the documentary. “Welcome to Wrexham”. Watt since purchasing the minority has been very vocal and attentive regarding his duties.
J.J Watt slams the referee for a controversial call during the Burnley vs Luton Town game in the EPL
The contentious last-gasp equalizer by Luton Town in the Premier League match on January 13th was allowed, which infuriated Burnley co-owner J.J. Watt, who described it as “truly disgraceful.” However, many soccer fans expressed questions about the decision after the game, as it was truly controversial.
The NFL veteran became enraged when Carlton Morris’ stoppage-time goal was not disqualified despite loud protests from Burnley that their goalkeeper James Trafford was improperly fouled by Elijah Adebayo of Luton. “I’m new to this ownership thing, so if I get fined by the Premier League, so be it…,” Watt posted on ‘X’ after the game.
I’m new to this ownership thing, so if I get fined by the Premier League, so be it…
This is as blatant and obvious of a foul as you could have.
To miss this on the field AND miss this on VAR is truly disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/VvFU3Pna5T
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 12, 2024
Zeki Amdouni had given the home team the lead in the first half, and Burnley appeared to be on track to record just their fourth victory of the year. Nevertheless, a 1-1 tie kept the Lancashire team in the bottom three, three points above last-place Sheffield United and four points above 18th-place Luton. Compared to Burnley, Luton and Sheffield have each played one fewer game.
J.J Watt claimed he did some research before purchasing a minority stake at Burnley FC
The former NFL player announced in May 2023 that he and his spouse, former USWNT midfielder Kealia Watt, had acquired a minority share in Burnley FC, a northwest England soccer side. The 34-year-old Watt claimed he was committed to conducting “research,” which included joining a neighborhood bar crawl to meet the locals and supporters of the club.
‘I did a pub crawl yesterday on my way to the stadium… it’s research’
NFL star JJ Watt has spoken to #BBCBreakfast about why he’s invested in newly promoted Burnley as they prepare to return to the Premier Leaguehttps://t.co/x7BDVArM9h pic.twitter.com/KXxXFQ9HOy
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) May 9, 2023
The former defensive lineman said as much to BBC Breakfast that, “he’s learned that the history, tradition and supporters, it’s all about respecting and honoring that. You never want to come in and try and do something that’s not true to who the club is and what we’re trying to do is show people what real Burnley is about,” Watt concluded.
The acquisition fits with the current surge in American interest in English soccer. The historic 2020 purchase of Wrexham by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney led to the team’s subsequent growth in popularity and success, which culminated in its elevation to the third division of England in 2023.