Gareth Bale joins US consortium in Plymouth Argyle takeover bid

Former Wales and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale is reportedly part of a US-based consortium seeking to take over League One side Plymouth Argyle.

Discussions between the group—led by a private equity firm—and the club are said to be in the early stages.

Current Plymouth owner Simon Hallett recently confirmed that a previous agreement to sell a stake in the club had collapsed.

Bale’s involvement mirrors a growing trend of high-profile athletes investing in football clubs.

His former Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric joined the ownership group of Swansea City in November 2024 and acquired a minority stake earlier this year, aiming to boost the club’s global profile.

Other sports and entertainment figures have also entered the football ownership space.

NFL legend Tom Brady is part of the ownership group at Birmingham City, and Wrexham has seen massive commercial success under Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Plymouth were relegated to League One last season following a brief and troubled stint in the Championship.

The club’s gamble on appointing Wayne Rooney as manager did not pay off, and his successor, Miron Muslic, resigned at season’s end to join German side Schalke.

On 13 June, Plymouth appointed former Manchester United midfielder and ex-Watford boss Tom Cleverley as their new manager.

Bale, who retired from football in 2023 at age 35, has not yet revealed what role—if any—he would play at the club should the consortium’s takeover be successful.