Sports fans come from all walks of life, but when it comes to celebrities, they aren’t immune to the thrill of the game. In fact, many famous faces have become iconic sports enthusiasts in their own right, often showing up in the stands or even owning franchises themselves. Here are some of the top celebrity sports fans who have a passion for the game they love.
Starting with basketball, actor Jack Nicholson has been a longtime fan of the Los Angeles Lakers. Courtside at the Staples Center, Nicholson’s iconic sunglasses and sideline demeanor have become a staple at every Lakers game. Not only has he seen many legendary moments on the court, but he’s even made guest appearances at halftime shows. Another big celebrity basketball fanatic is rapper Jay-Z, who has a partial ownership stake in the Brooklyn Nets. He famously helped bring the team to Brooklyn in 2012 and continues to support them to this day.
When it comes to football, actor Mark Wahlberg is a diehard New England Patriots fan. Not only does he attend games frequently, but he’s also invested in a restaurant chain called Wahlburgers which has collaborated with the Patriots to create specialized menu items. Another notable celebrity football fan is actor and WWE star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Not only has Johnson opened up about his passion for football, but he also played college football at the University of Miami and was briefly signed to the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League.
Tennis has a few celebrity fans of its own, including actors Bradley Cooper and Will Ferrell. Cooper has been seen attending many tennis matches over the years, including the U.S. Open, where he sat in the stands next to fellow celeb Anna Wintour. Ferrell, on the other hand, has attended the Australian Open multiple times in support of his favorite player, Roger Federer. He even played an exhibition match against Federer in 2018.
Finally, we have baseball. Actor Billy Crystal has always been a major New York Yankees fan, even directing and starring in the Broadway show “700 Sundays,” which is based on his childhood and includes a tribute to legendary Yankees player Mickey Mantle. Actor and comedian Will Ferrell also has a love for baseball, specifically the Los Angeles Dodgers. During spring training, Ferrell famously took the field as ten different players for ten different teams in a charity event.
Overall, it’s clear that celebrities have a passionate love for sports, just like any other fan. They may have more access to the games and players, but their fandom is just as real and can even help bring recognition to certain teams or events. So next time you’re at a big game, keep an eye out for these iconic sports enthusiasts in the stands.
