Hugh Jackman explores Norwich City stake as celebrity investment wave gathers pace
Hugh Jackman has confirmed he is in talks over a potential investment in Norwich City, adding another high-profile name to the growing list of celebrity shareholders across English football.
Actor Hugh Jackman is in discussions over acquiring a stake in Norwich City, a potential deal that would bring further celebrity capital and global profile to the Championship club.No formal investment process has yet been announced and the size of any prospective holding remains unclear. Any investment is understood to be directly into Norwich rather than their controlling shareholder, Norfolk Holdings.Jackman said: “I’m very, very interested and talking about it right now. You’re the first one to know that. There’s a little exclusive.“Good on Ryan, you do your thing, I’m all about the Canaries.”Norwich are majority owned by a group led by Mark Attanasio, the US businessman who also controls Major League Baseball’s Milwaukee Brewers.Attanasio holds an 85% stake in Norwich, while former controlling shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn-Jones retain 10% following the end of their 28 years of active leadership in 2024. The remaining 5% is held by independent supporters and individual investors.Jackman has supported Norwich since childhood, having adopted the club because of his mother’s links to the city. He has previously attended matches at Carrow Road and was invited to become a minority investor in 2010, but declined the opportunity.The Australian actor said he began following Norwich after watching English football with his family.Jackman said: “I went to Carrow Road a couple of times, and I love the Canaries, and this is the year we’re going to get promoted. That’s my prediction.”A deal would place Jackman among a growing group of entertainment and sports figures investing in British football.Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac have built one of the highest-profile ownership projects in the game at Wrexham, while Tom Brady has invested in Birmingham City and JJ Watt in Burnley.Snoop Dogg is a minority shareholder in Swansea City, Michael B. Jordan has invested in Bournemouth and Will Ferrell is among the investors at Leeds United. Other sporting names involved in English clubs include Russell Westbrook and Jordan Spieth.Celebrity investment has increasingly offered clubs more than additional capital, with high-profile shareholders capable of expanding international awareness, commercial reach and media interest.Norwich are playing their fifth consecutive season in the Championship after last competing in the Premier League in 2021-22. Jackman has not disclosed how large a stake he is considering or whether the discussions have progressed towards a formal transaction.