Who Owns Burnley FC

Who Owns Burnley FC: Top Shareholders

If you want to know who owns Burnley FC, the answer goes far beyond naming a single person or company. Burnley is no longer a locally run club in the traditional sense. It is now controlled by an American investment firm, supported by celebrity investors, and managed through a corporate structure designed for long-term growth. From ownership and leadership to finances and strategy, Burnley works more like a global business than a small-town football club. This shift has reshaped how the club is run, invested in, and positioned for the future.

Key Takeaways

  • Burnley FC is majority-owned by ALK Capital, which controls 84% of the club, giving the firm full authority over finances, leadership appointments, and long-term strategy.
  • Alan Pace leads ownership as chairman through ALK Capital, setting Burnley’s investment-driven ownership model rather than a billionaire-backed structure.
  • The remaining 16% is held by minority investors including J.J. Watt and Kealia Watt, Dude Perfect, and legacy shareholders, all of whom have no operational or voting control.

Burnley FC Profile

Burnley Football Club is one of the oldest active professional football teams in the world. The club represents the town of Burnley in Lancashire, England, and is globally known for its deep heritage, working-class identity, and loyalty to tradition. Burnley has existed through every major phase of football’s evolution. It began before football was fully professionalized, survived two world wars, and has now become part of a modern global league structure powered by broadcasting and international ownership.

What makes Burnley unique is its uninterrupted historical presence. While many clubs have been formed, dissolved, or relocated, Burnley has remained tied to the same town and stadium for more than a century. Turf Moor is one of the longest continuously used football grounds in the world. This stability has turned Burnley into a symbol of heritage football.

The club is also known for its reputation as a disciplined and resilient competitor. Burnley has never been associated with reckless spending. Instead, it has built a reputation on smart recruitment, strong character, tactical organization, and club unity. Over time, this approach has helped Burnley compete against clubs with significantly larger budgets.

As of 2025, Burnley represents a hybrid football model. It combines old-fashioned community pride with modern data-driven management under foreign ownership. The identity has evolved, but the foundations remain intact.

Founders and Early Formation

Burnley FC originated in 1882 after members of a local rugby team made a decisive shift. Burnley Rovers, a rugby club at the time, voted to abandon rugby and adopt association football. This decision aligned Burnley with a sport that was slowly becoming England’s dominant form of competition.

Within a year, the word “Rovers” was removed from the name. The club formally became Burnley Football Club. This change marked the first step toward becoming a structured sporting institution.

In 1883, Burnley moved to Turf Moor. The stadium was originally used for athletics and cricket. Its adoption as Burnley’s permanent home transformed the club from a casual sporting operation into a stable organization. Turf Moor continues to symbolize Burnley’s identity today.

Burnley was also an early adopter of professionalism. At a time when payment of players was controversial, the club strongly supported professional football. This placed Burnley among the pioneers who forced English football to confront the future of player wages and contracts.

This forward-looking stance deepened Burnley’s role in shaping early football policy. The club’s leadership was not afraid to challenge conservative systems. That culture of pragmatism continues to echo through Burnley’s modern management philosophy.

Major Milestones

  • 1882: Burnley Football Club was officially formed after members of Burnley Rovers ended rugby operations and adopted association football, marking the club’s formal entry into organized football.
  • 1883: Burnley relocated to Turf Moor, making it their permanent home ground — a stadium that remains central to the club’s identity over a century later.
  • 1885: Burnley embraced professionalism at a time when paid footballers were still controversial, helping drive acceptance of professional football across England.
  • 1888: Burnley became a founding member of the Football League, playing a role in establishing the world’s first formal league system.
  • 1898: Burnley won the Second Division title and secured promotion to the top flight for the first time, announcing themselves as a national-level competitor.
  • 1914: The club lifted the FA Cup for the first time after defeating Liverpool in the final. The victory brought national prestige and proved Burnley could match the biggest clubs in England.
  • 1921: Burnley were crowned English league champions for the first time. The team held an unbeaten league run of 30 games, which was a national record for many years.
  • 1930: Burnley experienced its first major relegation from the highest level, beginning its early cycle of promotion and rebuilding.
  • 1947: After World War II disruption, Burnley returned to First Division competition and began rebuilding its sporting structure.
  • 1959: Burnley secured promotion back to the top division following an aggressive rebuilding phase.
  • 1960: Burnley won its second English league championship with a squad centered on club-developed talent, emphasizing youth development long before it became fashionable.
  • 1961: Burnley entered European competition for the first time, representing England on the continental stage and building international recognition.
  • 1973: Promotion to the First Division restored Burnley as a competitive top-tier club after years of decline.
  • 1982: Burnley captured the Third Division title, escaping a period of financial and sporting difficulty that had pushed the club into the lower tiers.
  • 1987: The club narrowly avoided bankruptcy and relegation from the Football League. This season became known as one of the most important survival campaigns in club history.
  • 1992: Burnley won the Fourth Division championship, becoming one of only a handful of clubs to have lifted trophies in all four professional tiers of English football.
  • 2000: Financial restructuring kept the club afloat during one of the most unstable economic periods in its history.
  • 2009: Burnley returned to the Premier League after a 33-year absence, defeating Sheffield United in the Championship playoff final.
  • 2012: Sean Dyche was appointed manager, beginning the longest and most stable managerial era the club had seen in the modern game.
  • 2014: Burnley earned automatic promotion to the Premier League through disciplined defensive football and team cohesion.
  • 2016: Burnley won the Championship title and returned to the Premier League against expectations, further proving its ability to rebuild after relegation.
  • 2018: Burnley qualified for European competition after finishing inside the top seven in the Premier League, playing in the UEFA Europa League for the first time in decades.
  • 2020: Burnley was acquired by ALK Capital, marking a major shift from local ownership to American investment control.
  • 2022: Burnley entered a tactical rebuild phase under new management, changing from defensive football to a possession-based system.
  • 2023: Burnley won the Championship title under Vincent Kompany, securing promotion back to the Premier League with one of the best attacking records in the league.
  • 2024: The club went through managerial and squad restructuring as ownership focused more heavily on youth recruitment and financial balancing.
  • 2025: Burnley continued operating under a modern ownership model focused on analytics, international recruitment, and long-term financial sustainability.

Who Owns Burnley FC: Major Shareholders

Who Owns Burnley FC (Largest Shareholders)

Burnley FC is currently owned and controlled by ALK Capital, an American private investment firm led by chairman Alan Pace. ALK Capital holds an 84% controlling stake in the club, giving it full authority over Burnley’s financial structure, board appointments, budgeting, recruitment strategy, and long-term planning.

The remaining 16% is owned by minority shareholders, made up of celebrity investors, a media company, and a small number of legacy investors from the club’s former ownership era. These minority holders have no voting control and no influence over sporting or executive decisions. Burnley FC is therefore effectively a single-owner controlled club, despite having multiple investors on paper. Ultimate authority rests entirely with ALK Capital and its leadership team.

ALK Capital LLC — Majority Owner

The main owner of Burnley FC is ALK Capital LLC, a sports investment and management firm based in the United States. ALK Capital completed its takeover of the club in December 2020.

ALK Capital acquired a controlling majority stake in the club. According to public corporate disclosures, ALK Capital (through its investment vehicles) remains the principal owner and decision-making body for major strategic, financial, and commercial matters related to Burnley.

Acquisition Details & Structure

  • In December 2020, ALK Capital — specifically its sporting arm Velocity Sports Partners (VSP) — acquired an 84% stake in Burnley FC. This was a leveraged takeover that reportedly cost £170 million.
  • The takeover converted Burnley from a club mainly owned by local businessmen and supporters to a privately held asset under a foreign investment vehicle.
  • Post-acquisition, ALK Capital assumed full control over the club’s strategic direction, finances, recruitment policy, and long-term planning.

According to company filings, ALK Capital is ultimately owned by a small group of people. These include ALK’s senior partners, such as Alan Pace, plus other partners like Mike Smith and Stuart Hunt. These individuals are therefore the indirect beneficial owners of Burnley FC.

Because ALK is a private investment firm, the club’s long-term strategy is shaped not just by sporting ambition but also by financial sustainability, investment returns, and asset development. That includes leveraging data analytics, global scouting, and a multi-club framework.

Other Shareholders

While ALK Capital governs Burnley FC through its majority stake, the remaining 16% is divided among minority investors whose roles are financial and promotional rather than operational. None of these investors have board-level authority. None participate in management decisions.

J.J. Watt and Kealia Watt (5%)

J.J. Watt and Kealia Watt together hold an estimated 5% stake in Burnley FC. Their exact percentage has not been publicly disclosed, but ownership filings and reporting confirm their stake is small and symbolic rather than controlling.

Their ownership is strategic in nature. They serve as high-profile brand ambassadors for the club, especially in the United States. While they publicly support Burnley and occasionally engage with fans and media, they do not influence sporting decisions, transfers, staffing, or budget allocation.

Their role is closer to that of celebrity investors than football executives.

Dude Perfect (4%)

The YouTube entertainment group Dude Perfect owns an estimated 4% minority stake in Burnley FC. Like the Watts, the exact figure is not public, but it has been confirmed as a non-controlling share.

Their investment supports Burnley’s goal of expanding into digital media and younger international audiences. However, they have zero governance power.

They are investors, not operators.

No budget input.
No board vote.
No influence on football matters.

Former Shareholders and Legacy Owners

The remaining portion of the minority stake — approximately 7% — is held by legacy shareholders and former directors from the pre-takeover ownership structure.

These include individuals who retained small equity positions after ALK Capital assumed control. Their holdings are passive.

They do not:

  • appoint executives
  • approve spending
  • influence recruitment
  • control club policy.

Their shares exist strictly as equity holdings, not power positions.

Key Figure — Chairman

Alan Pace is the public face of Burnley’s ownership. He serves as Chairman of Burnley FC and is the lead investor in ALK Capital’s sporting business.

His background is in finance and sports investment. Before owning Burnley, he was involved in sports investment and club management elsewhere. His financial expertise underpins ALK’s approach to managing football assets.

As Chairman, Pace oversees long-term club direction, major financial decisions including transfers and debt management, and broader club strategy. He does not micromanage daily training or match tactics — those remain under football management — but he sets the tone for investment, stability, and growth.

Within the ALK Capital ownership group, Alan Pace reportedly controls roughly 50% of ALK’s shareholding tied to Burnley. The remaining shares are held by other partners such as Mike Smith and Stuart Hunt.

This share allocation means Pace has significant influence over club decisions, but final governance rests with the partnership structure under ALK Capital.

Shift to Multi-Club Ownership

In 2025, ALK Capital (via Velocity Sports Partners) completed the takeover of Spanish club RCD Espanyol. This acquisition extends ALK’s footprint beyond England and places Burnley in a broader European “multi-club” network.

The move signals that Burnley is no longer a standalone project but part of a strategic portfolio of clubs and sports assets under ALK. The ambition includes infrastructure investment, youth development across clubs, shared resources, and possibly cross-club scouting or transfers.

In late 2025, ALK Capital secured a fresh investment injection from a new investor — Dave Checketts — through a private equity vehicle. This suggests ALK’s strategy now includes raising capital for expanding its sports-investment ambitions, both for Burnley and other clubs under its management.

The fundraising move underscores how Burnley is run as part of a business portfolio rather than as a stand-alone tradition club. Financial sustainability, revenue growth, and investment return seem to guide ownership decisions as much as sporting success.

Burnley FC Ownership History

Burnley FC’s ownership story mirrors the evolution of English football itself. The club began as a locally run community organization, passed through decades of traditional board control, and eventually transitioned into a modern investment-owned institution. For more than a century, Burnley was governed by people from the town. That changed only in the last decade. The club is now part of an international business group with a corporate leadership structure and private equity backing.

This shift did not happen suddenly. It was the result of financial pressure, growing competition, and the rising cost of staying competitive in elite football. Burnley’s journey from community ownership to corporate control explains how and why the club looks and operates the way it does today.

EraOwner / Ownership TypeKey FiguresControl StructureKey CharacteristicsOwnership Impact
1882–1950sCommunity ownershipLocal businessmen and club committee membersCommittee-based governanceNon-profit mindset, local control, volunteer-ledEstablished identity and club culture
1950s–1980sCorporate local ownershipLocal directors and shareholdersPrivate limited companyConservative spending, youth developmentWon league titles but missed commercialization wave
1980s–2000sSupporter-influenced ownershipFan groups and transitional boardsMixed private and fan-backed structureSurvival-focused, minimal investmentPrevented collapse during crisis period
2012–2020Private ownershipMike GarlickChairman-led controlFinancial caution, squad stability, wage disciplinePremier League survival and European qualification
2020–PresentCorporate investment ownershipALK Capital (Alan Pace)Majority shareholder (84%)Data-driven model, global strategyCorporate governance and modernization

Early Community Ownership (1882–Mid 1900s)

In its earliest years, Burnley FC was owned and operated by local businessmen and sporting officials. There was no single individual owner. Instead, the club was governed by elected committee members and directors drawn from the Burnley community.

Decisions were made collectively. The club existed primarily to serve the town. Profit was never the objective. Survival and pride were the priorities.

This model continued for decades. Directors often held positions for long periods. The club developed strong emotional ties between the board, players, and supporters.

During this era, Burnley operated like a social institution rather than a corporation. Leadership did not change frequently. Ownership did not change hands like it does today.

Post-War Corporate Structure (1950s–1980s)

As football became more professional, Burnley began operating more like a business. The club adopted a limited company structure. Shares were issued. Directors assumed corporate duties.

However, ownership remained local.

The board consisted of regional figures and club supporters. Decision-making remained conservative. Spending was controlled. Financial risk was avoided wherever possible.

Burnley did not chase transfer spending. Instead, the club invested in youth development. That strategy paid off during the 1959–60 title-winning season.

Still, as other clubs began benefitting from television revenue and wealthy ownership, Burnley’s community-based model struggled to keep up.

By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the club entered financial decline. Relegations followed. Debt concerns emerged.

Ownership still remained local. But financial stability was increasingly difficult.

Survival Years and Fan Influence (1980s–2000s)

The 1980s were a crisis period. Burnley narrowly avoided losing Football League status. Financial problems forced emergency fundraising and restructuring.

During this time, fans played a bigger role. Supporter trusts helped stabilize the club. Directors often worked without pay.

Ownership was fragile. The club had little commercial reach. Stadium redevelopment was limited.

Still, Burnley survived.

The 1990s and early 2000s saw a gradual recovery. Promotion from the lower leagues offered new hope. Financial management improved.

But the club still lacked wealthy backing. Even when Burnley returned to the Premier League in 2009, it struggled to compete financially with rivals.

Ownership remained loyal. But limited.

The Mike Garlick Era (2012–2020)

Mike Garlick became chairman in 2012. He represented the last phase of traditional ownership.

Garlick was a lifelong supporter. His approach was pragmatic and careful. Financial health mattered more than ambition.

During this period, Burnley became known for stability.

Sean Dyche was trusted long-term. Wages were controlled. Transfers were value-driven. The club avoided debt.

Promotion was achieved twice. European football was reached.

Yet flaws existed.

Infrastructure lagged behind. Training facilities were basic. Commercial growth was slow. The club lacked scale.

As other clubs expanded operations, Burnley began falling behind off the pitch.

Garlick’s model delivered survival. But not expansion.

Eventually, ownership reached a crossroads.

Stay traditional.

Or modernize.

The ALK Capital Takeover (2020–Present)

In December 2020, Burnley underwent the biggest ownership change in its history. ALK Capital, an American investment firm led by Alan Pace, acquired 84% of the club.

This was not a takeover by a fan. This was a business acquisition.

Burnley moved from local control to corporate ownership.

The takeover used borrowed money. Debt entered the club’s structure. This sparked controversy among supporters.

But it also brought change.

Modern governance replaced community leadership. Financial systems were introduced. Analytics entered recruitment. Commercial strategy advanced.

Burnley was no longer run as a passion project.

It became a professional sports asset.

Ownership goals changed.

Growth.
Value creation.
Global recognition.

Under ALK Capital, Burnley also joined a multi-club investment strategy. The club became part of a portfolio rather than a single, standalone entity.

This multiplied Burnley’s reach. But it also made football a business first.

The Fundamental Transformation

Burnley’s ownership journey can be summarized in one sentence:

The club moved from community guardianship to global investment management.

For most of its existence, Burnley belonged to its town.

Today, it belongs to a corporation.

That does not mean the club has lost its identity. But it does mean the identity is now balanced with commercial objectives.

The emotional connection still exists.

The structure behind it has changed.

Burnley FC Owner’s Net Worth

Alan Pace is the controlling figure behind Burnley FC through his investment firm, ALK Capital, which owns 84% of the club. While Burnley is technically held by a corporate entity, Pace is the decision-maker who sets the financial direction, approves strategy, and controls long-term planning.

Alan Pace’s net worth stands at $270 million as of November 2025.

This figure places him among the wealthier football investors in England, but not among the ultra-rich elite who dominate global football ownership.

He is:

  • Wealthier than most traditional English club owners
  • Less wealthy than billionaires in Europe and the Middle East.

This shapes Burnley’s business model.

The club cannot compete with cash injections. It must compete with intelligence.

How Alan Pace Built His Wealth

Alan Pace’s $270 million net worth did not come from football. Burnley FC is not his primary source of income. His wealth comes from private equity, sports investment firms, and structured capital management companies that operate well beyond the football industry.

Unlike lifestyle investors or celebrity owners, Pace earns money through controlling investment firms, managing partner capital, and owning equity in sports and business assets.

ALK Capital – Primary Source of Wealth

Alan Pace’s $270 million net worth is primarily derived from his role as managing partner and co-founder of ALK Capital. The firm operates as a private investment company that acquires and manages assets across sports, media, and infrastructure-related sectors. ALK Capital does not function like a high-risk venture fund. Instead, it targets mature or undervalued assets that can be improved through operational control, financial restructuring, and long-term holding strategies.

Pace generates wealth through equity ownership in assets controlled by the firm, performance-based management compensation, and portfolio appreciation. His income depends on the success of ALK Capital’s investments rather than on Burnley FC’s match results. Burnley is one component within a wider investment system, not the foundation of his wealth.

Velocity Sports Partners – Sports Investment Platform

Velocity Sports Partners is the sports investment division of ALK Capital and the legal vehicle through which Burnley FC is owned. Rather than treating football clubs as isolated enterprises, Pace developed this structure to manage sports assets under a single strategic and financial model. This allows centralized oversight, shared analytics, and coordinated commercial development across different markets.

Through Velocity Sports Partners, Pace profits from increased asset valuation, club licensing opportunities, sponsorship structures, and long-term ownership value. Burnley’s presence in this system is not emotional or symbolic. It is financial, strategic, and portfolio-based. The club is evaluated as an asset with growth potential rather than as a spending platform.

Multi-Club Expansion Strategy

Alan Pace’s business model is built on consolidation rather than single-club ownership. Since acquiring Burnley, his ownership group has expanded into European football markets using the same framework. This multi-club strategy allows shared scouting intelligence, player movement between clubs, and centralized performance infrastructure.

The financial logic behind this model is scale. By controlling multiple teams under one structure, Pace increases negotiating power with sponsors, broadcasters, and commercial partners. The objective is not simply football success at one club but long-term portfolio growth across a network of assets. That network, not Burnley alone, drives Pace’s growing net worth.

Institutional Capital and Investment Syndicates

Pace does not invest alone. His wealth is also connected to relationships with institutional investors and private equity partners who contribute capital to ALK Capital-managed funds. These partnerships expand available resources and allow the firm to pursue larger acquisitions without relying on Pace’s personal money alone.

He benefits financially through ownership stakes, asset growth, and fund performance incentives. These arrangements significantly outweigh the income generated from football operations or executive salaries. His business success is built on asset management scale rather than club profitability.

Burnley FC Net Worth

Burnley FC Net Worth 2016-25

Burnley FC’s net worth stands at $330 million as of November 2025. This valuation reflects the club’s commercial scale, squad value, stadium ownership, broadcasting income, and long-term brand worth. The figure positions Burnley as a solid mid-tier asset within English football, not among global giants but well above lower-division clubs in enterprise value.

The growth in Burnley’s valuation over the last few years has been driven by improved broadcast revenue stability, stronger squad market value, restructuring under professional ownership, and the wider commercialization of Premier League football.

Why Burnley FC Is Worth $330 Million

Burnley’s valuation is not based on one asset alone. It is the result of multiple streams working together to create enterprise value.

Broadcasting income remains the largest contributor. Competing in English top-flight football multiplies revenue overnight. Television distributions far outweigh ticketing and sponsorship combined.

The club also benefits from stable matchday income driven by strong fan loyalty and high attendance rates at Turf Moor. While the stadium is smaller than elite venues, it delivers reliable income and strong occupancy.

Commercial revenue has expanded under corporate ownership. International exposure has produced better-sponsored deals, stronger digital presence, and broader brand partnerships.

Player trading now plays a strategic role. Burnley operates a development-driven recruitment model that increases squad asset value. The sale of one player can materially affect annual revenue and valuation.

Infrastructure and property ownership also contribute to Burnley’s net worth. Owning Turf Moor adds tangible asset value that many clubs do not have.

Squad and Player Asset Value

Burnley maintains one of the most development-focused squads in English football. The club invests heavily in young players with resale potential rather than aging stars.

This strategy creates volatility but increases long-term financial upside. When a player performs well at the top level, his market value can multiply quickly.

Burnley treats players as capital assets rather than short-term costs. That approach drives financial sustainability.

Stadium and Infrastructure Value

Turf Moor is one of the oldest stadiums in professional football. It is owned by the club and remains a key physical asset. While commercial expansion is limited due to historical design, the ground provides consistent matchday income and holds significant land value.

Training facilities have been improved under current ownership, further strengthening the club’s asset base.

Financial Structure and Sustainability

Burnley operates under calculated financial discipline. Ownership introduced structured debt during acquisition, but the club manages obligations through a controlled budget model.

Unlike heavily subsidized clubs, Burnley must balance revenue and spending in real time. This leads to conservative wages and strategic transfer activity.

Financial sustainability has become built into the club’s DNA.

How Ownership Drives Valuation

ALK Capital evaluates Burnley as a long-term investment. Strategic planning is focused on increasing enterprise value through stabilization rather than reckless risk.

Higher valuation stems from:

  • League participation stability.
  • Brand visibility growth.
  • Squad investment efficiency.
  • Revenue diversification.

This ownership model aims to elevate Burnley’s value steadily without destabilizing the football operation.

Burnley FC CEO

In April 2025, Burnley FC formally appointed James Holroyd as Chief Executive Officer.

Holroyd joined the club just as Burnley was entering a new phase following promotion to the Premier League. His hiring reflects the club’s ambition to strengthen its off-pitch operations — brand, commercial growth, global outreach, and business strategy — under experienced leadership.

Holroyd reports directly to the club’s chairman (and majority owner) Alan Pace, aligning executive operations with ownership strategy.

Background and Experience of Holroyd

Before joining Burnley, James Holroyd spent 14 years at Manchester United, where he served as Chief Commercial Development Officer.

At United, he was involved in building global sponsorship deals, commercial partnerships, brand expansion, and revenue optimization — giving him firsthand experience in managing world-class club business operations.

Prior to Manchester United, Holroyd spent another 14 years working at Adidas, where he was involved in brand development, product marketing, and global sports business strategy.

This combination of experiences makes him one of the few executives with both brand-building acumen and commercial football operations expertise — a background particularly well-suited for a club like Burnley aiming to grow off the pitch while maintaining competitive performance on it.

Mandate and Responsibilities as Burnley CEO

As CEO of Burnley FC, Holroyd’s mandate covers all major off-field operations. That includes commercial partnerships, revenue generation, global brand development, fan engagement, sponsorship deals, and innovation in club business operations.

He is responsible for steering the club’s business growth as it re-enters the Premier League, aiming to maximize revenue streams beyond matchday income. This means expanding international visibility, crafting commercial deals, and leveraging broadcast and brand opportunities in a highly competitive sports business environment.

Holroyd works closely with the chairman and board to align long-term club strategy with financial sustainability and global growth ambitions.

Significance of Having a Dedicated CEO

Appointing James Holroyd as CEO marks a major shift for Burnley FC’s management structure. For many years, decision-making was concentrated at the board and ownership level, or handled by executives without a unified, branded “CEO” role. Now, Burnley has a dedicated top executive whose job is to professionalize the business side of the club.

This reflects a modern sports-club governance model: one where football teams are treated as business assets with growing off-pitch value. By having a CEO with proven global experience, Burnley is aiming to increase commercial revenue, strengthen brand identity, and expand club reach beyond traditional boundaries.

It also means football operations (transfers, matches, coaching) can remain under sporting direction — while business growth is managed separately but strategically allied to sporting goals. This separation can provide stability, clearer accountability, and long-term planning potential.

What to Watch Going Forward

With Holroyd now in place, key indicators of success will likely include new sponsorship deals, improved commercial partnerships, expansion of global fan engagement, and improved financial stability. If these come together, they could raise Burnley’s business profile significantly — which may attract further investment, improve club valuation, and support sustainable growth.

At the same time, balancing commercial ambition with football competitiveness will be crucial. As CEO, Holroyd will need to navigate between growing the club’s off-field value while respecting the sporting culture and identity that fans cherish.

Final Thoughts

So, who owns Burnley FC today? It is no longer a club controlled by tradition alone. ALK Capital runs Burnley as a modern football business. Decisions are financial. Strategy is global. Growth is measured.

This shift brings opportunity. It also brings risk. The success of this model will be judged not just on results. It will be judged on stability, identity, and connection with fans.

Burnley’s future now depends on data, structure, and discipline. Not just heart.

FAQs

Who owns Burnley FC?

Burnley FC is owned by the American investment firm ALK Capital, which controls 84% of the club. The remaining shares are held by minority investors who do not have decision-making authority.

Are Dude Perfect owners of Burnley?

Yes, but only as minority shareholders. Dude Perfect owns a small percentage and has no control over the club’s operations, strategy, or leadership. Their role is financial and promotional, not managerial.

Does J.J. Watt own Burnley?

Yes, J.J. Watt and Kealia Watt are minority investors in Burnley FC. They do not run the club and do not influence decisions. Their stake is non-controlling and primarily supportive and commercial in nature.

What companies does ALK Capital own?

ALK Capital controls Burnley FC through its sports investment arm and operates a broader portfolio in private investment, sports assets, and commercial ventures. Burnley is part of a multi-club strategy under ALK, which means the firm manages multiple sports and business assets through structured investment vehicles rather than as a single club owner.

What is Alan Pace’s net worth?

Alan Pace’s net worth is $270 million as of November 2025.

Who is Alan Pace?

Alan Pace is the Chairman of Burnley FC and Managing Partner at ALK Capital. He leads the ownership group and controls the club through investment vehicles. His background is in private equity, business investment, and sports finance.

Can I buy shares in Burnley FC?

No. Burnley FC is a privately owned club. Its shares are not publicly available for purchase on any stock exchange, and there is no public investment program for fans to buy equity.