Actor Michael B. Jordan Becomes Part-Owner of EPL Club Bournemouth
Dec 13, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 05: Michael B. Jordan attends Critics Choice Association's 5th Annual Celebration Of Black Cinema & Television at Fairmont Century Plaza on December 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association)
Actor Michael B. Jordan is now a part-owner of English Premier League club Bournemouth.
Per Giacomo Pisa of The Sun, Jordan is part of a minority investment group that purchased a stake in the club.
The Premier League ratified the sale of Bournemouth to a group led by Bill Foley.
According to Pisa, Foley will serve as club chairman and will be in attendance for its next home game against Crystal Palace on New Year's Eve.
Maxim Demin, who became a co-owner of the Cherries in 2011 and had been majority owner since 2013, reached a verbal agreement with Foley to sell the club for $150 million in October.
Foley is also majority owner of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights through his Black Knight Sports and Entertainment consortium.
A press release stated that Jordan and Nullah Sarker will work closely with Foley in areas that include "global marketing and internationalization of the club."
This marks Jordan's first foray into ownership of a sports team. His acting resume includes several sports movies and television shows, including the Creed franchise and the television adaptation of Friday Night Lights.
Jordan will make his directorial debut with Creed III, which is set to release March 3.
Bournemouth is in 14th place in the EPL standings with 16 points through 15 matches. Its next match is against Newcastle in the EFL Cup round of 16 on Dec. 20.
Bournemouth to Stop Playing Kanye West's 'Power' Song After His Antisemitic Comments
Oct 27, 2022
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Bournemouth in a team huddle before kick off during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Brentford FC at Vitality Stadium on October 01, 2022 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
Premier League club Bournemouth is the latest group to cut ties with Kanye West.
The Cherries said Thursday they will no longer play West's 2010 song "Power" before matches at Vitality Stadium as they previously did for the past few years, per Ahmed Shooble of The Athletic.
The change comes after West's recent antisemitic comments, tweeting that he would "go death con 3 on Jewish people" in a since-deleted post.
The rapper also revealed more "hate speech and extremely dangerous stereotypes" during an episode of The Shop that was pulled from air.
The comments have led to significant backlash against West, losing his partnerships with Adidas, Gap and Foot Locker.
"Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech," the shoe company said in a statement. "Ye's recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company's values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness."
Athletes Aaron Donald and Jaylen Brown left Ye's Donda Sports after joining the sports marketing agency earlier this year.
West said on Instagram that he lost $2 billion in one day.
Bournemouth has not yet named a replacement song, but the club is set to host Tottenham on Saturday.
Ryan Fraser Hints at Bournemouth Stay amid Arsenal Transfer Rumours
Jun 13, 2019
BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Ryan Fraser of AFC Bournemouth celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and AFC Bournemouth at American Express Community Stadium on April 13, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
Bournemouth winger Ryan Fraser has suggested he'll remain at the Vitality Stadium for at least one more year despite rumours he could leave for Arsenal this summer.
The Gunners are reportedly on the lookout for a new winger and have been frequently associated with Fraser in recent months. However, speculation has lessened of late, and Fraser told reporters it was more likely he'll remain on the south coast.
He said: "The likelihood is I will be at Bournemouth for another year. And what will happen, will happen. That is all I can really say about it. No one has really spoken to me about it."
The 25-year-old has one year left on his contract with the Cherries and could be susceptible to leave on a free transfer next summer if the club doesn't feel confident about agreeing an extension.
Journalist James Benge touched on the most recent gossip, but said that while the transfer is realistic, it won't be concluded in a hurry:
Latest on interest in Ryan Fraser, now in video form. Would not expect this to be a deal that is done very soon, particularly as Arsenal's negotiating position improves the longer this drags into the window. pic.twitter.com/hLo4sKXVMs
Fraser was one of Bournemouth's best performers this past season, scoring seven goals and recording 14 assists as the Cherries ran to a 14th-place Premier League finish.
He played in all 38 of his side's league games last term and started in all but three of those. Nathan Ake (3,412) finished 2018-19 as the only Bournemouth player to rack up more Premier League minutes than Fraser (3,173).
Fraser's performances were enough to earn him end-of-season recognition from the Bournemouth fanbase and his team-mates:
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 14, 2019
He's capable on either flank but traditionally prefers the left side, where Arsenal will be in need of reinforcements after Danny Welbeck leaves the club this summer.
Gunners manager Unai Emery failed to bring in any new wide players during his first summer transfer window at the Emirates Stadium and instead concentrated more on defence and his midfield.
Six years have passed since Fraser joined Bournemouth from Aberdeen, and it appears as though he'll serve at least a seventh campaign in Cherries colours.
