At one point, NFL player J.J. Watt threw his hat in the ring when Real Salt Lake was looking for a buyer a couple of years ago. It was intriguing thought considering his wife, Kealia, is from Draper and played high school soccer at Alta High.
The couple did not end up being included in the sale for RSL, which was bought by billionaires Ryan Smith and David Blitzer early last year. But that apparently did not quell the Watts’ desire to own a soccer club.
The couple announced Monday that they are now minority investors in Burnley F.C. of the Championship. Burnley recently won the league title and was promoted back to the Premier League.
“When you invest in a club that’s been around since 1882, you must have great respect for its history and tradition,” the Watts said in a statement. “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.”
Kealia Watt most recently played for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League for two seasons. She spent five seasons with the Houston Dash before that. She has not yet officially retired.
“In the US, I’ve seen the NWSL grow into something really incredible, and we’d love to be a part of growing the women’s team here and be a part of their journey,” she said in a statement.
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