A football club draped in red, white, and blue was always bound to catch the eye of American investors—and now, Rangers FC has officially joined the stars-and-stripes movement. With Andrew Cavenagh and the San Francisco 49ers taking control as Rangers’ new owners, the balance of power in the Scottish Premiership may be on the verge of a major shake-up. After all, Celtic has dominated, winning 13 of the last 14 league titles.
But the American influence isn't just hitting the top of the table. It’s spreading like wildfire. Half of the Premiership—6 out of 12 clubs—are now owned by Americans. And the 49ers weren’t the only ones shopping this summer. Calvin Ford, the great-great-grandson of Henry Ford, secured a deal to acquire Livingston, bringing Scotland’s top flight to the brink of having a majority of U.S.-owned teams.
This transatlantic trend didn’t start overnight. It began in 2013 when Tim Keyes and John Nelms stepped in at Dundee. In 2018, Mark Ogren took over Dundee United. More recently, Bournemouth boss Bill Foley poured money into Hibernian, which had been under the Gordon family since 2019. Adam Webb took charge at St Johnstone. All American investors, and all bullish about the untapped potential of Scottish football.
Of course, this surge in U.S. ownership isn't unique to Scotland. The English Premier League is already deep into American hands. With Dan Friedkin’s takeover of Everton in September, 10 of the EPL’s 20 clubs are now American-owned. That includes big names like Todd Boehly, Stan Kroenke, Fenway Sports Group, and the Glazers. The EFL isn’t far behind, with nine American-owned clubs, including Birmingham City and Wrexham, providing a more affordable entry point for U.S. investors without billionaire-level cash.
Scotland, however, offers an even cheaper gateway. While the 49ers scooped up a majority stake in Rangers, Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, is paying £190 million ($254 million) for a minority 44.9% stake in Crystal Palace—a club that finished mid-table in the EPL. Meanwhile, Friedkin shelled out over £400 million ($535 million) for Everton, a side that’s danced with relegation more often than celebration lately.
Sure, Rangers can only envy the money and global spotlight of the EPL, but they’ve still managed to stay relevant on the European stage. Just three seasons ago, they reached the Europa League final, and two years back, they were battling giants in the Champions League—cashing in tens of millions along the way.
And it’s not just Rangers. More Scottish teams are now playing in Europe than ever before, thanks largely to the birth of the UEFA Conference League. Clubs like Aberdeen, Dundee United, Hearts, Hibernian, Kilmarnock, Motherwell, and St Mirren—previously locked out due to the duopoly of Celtic and Rangers—have tasted European football and the financial windfall it brings.
Combine that with the rise of multi-club ownership, and you’ve got a new kind of investment landscape. Hibernian are part of Foley’s Black Knight Football Group, which also owns Bournemouth, Auckland FC, and FC Lorient. Tony Bloom, the man behind Brighton, recently invested in Hearts, linking them with Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian champions. Aberdeen, too, are in bed with Atlanta United.
Now, thanks to the 49ers’ involvement, Rangers are connected to Leeds United. But here’s the million-dollar question: who’s really the top dog in this new web of global football empires? Scottish fans are already sensitive about their place in the pecking order, and the rise of multi-club networks has only deepened those insecurities.
And let's be honest—not every American arrival has been met with open arms. Motherwell fans outright rejected a takeover bid from Erik and Courtney Barmack, a pair of U.S. media execs from Netflix and Snap Inc. Even Foley, now a major player, has faced sharp questions. Should Hibs become a feeder club for Bournemouth, a team that only recently left the English lower leagues and still draws crowds of just over 11,000? Probably not. But that’s the modern football reality.
This wave of U.S. investment also points to a deeper issue in Scottish football—the game needs serious help. It's been four decades since a team not named Celtic or Rangers lifted the league title. A Scottish FA report last year called the league a “significant underachiever” in youth development, with just 12% of minutes last season going to players aged 21 or younger.
Despite more Scottish sides getting into European competitions, not one made it past the Conference League group stage last season. Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers from Ireland marched into the knockout rounds, underlining just how far behind Scottish teams really are.
And here’s the cold truth: American money doesn’t guarantee success. John Nelms has run Dundee for over a decade with little to show for his vision of creating a talent pipeline. St Johnstone were relegated for the first time in 16 years, just after new ownership arrived. Their fans expected fireworks—and got fizzles.
Yet, what keeps drawing investors in? It’s the history, the intensity, and the potential of the Scottish game. The dream of turning this passionate, tradition-rich football nation into something bigger still flickers. Now, the American dream is wearing a tartan scarf, and whether it lifts Scottish football to new heights or adds to the heartbreak, one thing is certain—change is already here.
Description:
"American investors are transforming Scottish football like never before, with six Premiership clubs now under U.S. control. From Rangers to Livingston, here's how the stars and stripes are changing the tartan game."