Former NFL player JJ Watt has joined others on their adventure, with his investment into Championship side Burnley and it’s safe to say he’s loving it so far.
American investment in the EFL has been on the rise for the last couple of seasons. From Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham, to NFL superstar Tom Brady involved at Birmingham City, the Americans want a piece of the storylines that only the EFL produces.
Having a former footballer as a wife, JJ Watt is no stranger to football and has stated an ambition to keep his own competitive juices flowing post-retirement and felt investment into football could be the answer to just that.
“I saw an opportunity to get involved at a level I wanted to be involved at, be in the board meetings, learn and grow, while also injecting something, bringing something to the club in terms of global notoriety, eyeballs to the game etc. (via BBC Sport)”
For some being involved at board level would be all their looking for but JJ Watt was after a more than just being an onlooker from across the pond. The 36-year-old has made an emphasis on getting involved with fans, walking to games from his hotel, attempting to really understand what football means to the local fan.
“It’s why I’m so drawn to it and why I walked from the hotel to the match (Burnley v Luton Town) the other day, because I wanted to be with the people.
“When I watch these games and go to these matches with these supporters… I told our players last year they truly don’t understand how they affect these people on a day-to-day basis.”
It’s not just fans that Watt has made an attempt to get to know. The part-owner found himself involved in a bet with goalkeeper James Trafford. Trafford, a Cincinnati Bengals fan, asked Watt to come out of retirement and play for his Bengals. Watt responded saying he would do so, if the player didn’t concede a goal for the remainder of the season.
Fortunately for JJ Watt, Burnley’s run of league clean sheets came to an end after 12 games (a Championship record) as Cardiff City managed to score in a 2-1 loss for the Welsh side.
In many interviews JJ Watt has stated his love for the English football pyramid and the stories it can bring. He has been very vocal on social media about his club, making sure he attends numerous games throughout the season. Whilst some enjoy a step back, Watt is intent on being involved and falling in love with the process, not just at the top, but in the community and terraces too.
American investment is slowly becoming a norm for EFL clubs, with owners stating that many clubs have had US interest within the last two years.
To see someone with the profile of JJ Watt, getting involved with the people that make Burnley football club go, is truly refreshing to see.
