Will Ferrell takes co-ownership of LAFC
Los Angeles FC unveiled its logo and colours on Friday (AEDT), but all the attention surrounded American actor Will Ferrell.
From Hollywood to Major League Soccer (MLS). Football in the United States will have a further sprinkling of stardust from the 2018 season after actor and comedian Will Ferrell was confirmed as co-owner of new franchise Los Angeles FC.
Los Angeles, which will join MLS in two years as a replacement for Chivas USA in rivalry to LA Galaxy, unveiled its logo and team colours in a news conference at Union Station on Friday (AEDT), but all the attention surrounded one high-profile celebrity.
Kind of a big deal on-screen, Ferrell — an Emmy and Golden Globe nominee after starring in films such as Anchorman, Step Brothers and The Other Guys — was included in an LAFC ownership group, featuring former women's FIFA World Player of the Year Mia Hamm, Los Angeles Lakers great Earvin 'Magic' Johnson and Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan among others.
"This is not a joke," Ferrell told reporters. "I'm actually a member of this fine ownership group.
"I've never been part-owner of anything, though I'm still part-owner of an '84 Toyota Camry with my brother.
"It's thrilling to see a turnout like this. The fact that we have people from Palmdale is impressive. If we're already reaching out to Palmdale, you know we're in good shape."
Ferrell, whose three children play football, added: "To say soccer is a part of our lives in an understatement."
Ferrell has made no secret of his love for the beautiful game, and was in Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he supported the US men's team in its quest for glory, often crashing fan parties to gee-up the crowd.