Comedian Will Ferrell Joined Jimmy Fallon to Discuss his Role with MLS’s New Team in LA – The LAFC
Who knew? Long time soccer fan Will Ferrell is not a stranger to the soccer pitch and he is passionate about soccer. His role in Kicking and Screaming where he plays a winning, obsessive coach may come to mind as a first thought, but the comedian has always had a passion for soccer and him joining the ownership group of LAFC will surely draw excitement once the team begins play in 2018
Soccer News: Will Ferrell recently joined the ownership of Los Angeles Football Club and professed his love for soccer — saying the often quoted line “It is not a joke.” This week, Ferrell made an appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” to discuss his love of soccer and his investment in Los Angeles’ new team.
“I started playing soccer in the mean streets of Irvine, California, when I was 8 years old,” said Ferrell.
Maybe playing on the Kickers, Bulldogs and the Chetah’s as a youth soccer player awakened his passion for the beautiful game but Ferrell has absolutely stepped up his support of soccer since becoming a part owner of the new MLS franchise in LA. The popular comedian famous for his role in Anchorman now proudly adds the title of LAFC co-owner to his list of accomplishments. In fact, Ferrell is a sincere and avid soccer fan; and his wife reportedly played in college and their children play now.
The acclaimed movie star started off his appearance leading the crowd in a “LA-FC” chant and informing the audience that a new stadium is being built, although he will not have direct involvement in the building process – easing a jokingly concerned Jimmy Fallon.
The long time soccer fan outlined his desired business plan for his ownership position in a classic Will Ferrell fashion that brings a great personality to the team.
“The way I’m going to model my role as an owner is as a George Steinbrenner-type. I’m going to wear a lot of turtlenecks and sportcoats. I’m also going to hire and fire one manager 10 times in a season,” joked Ferrell.
The comedian also referred to the characteristics of a recent soccer player that was kicked out of his recreational league in Cleveland as having the desired qualities for the club’s future signings. The player was kicked out of his coed league due to a list of infractions that Ferrell enjoys and deems as classic comedy moves.
One offense that caused the player’s removal from the league included him making a phone call while on the field, which Ferrell claims will not be an issue on his team.
“On my team that will be no problem,” joked Ferrell. “We’re going to encourage players to have their cell phones on and engage in social media while they play.”
Another infraction that was listed was for running into the goal while hiding the ball in his shirt, which Ferrell further declares as a classic comedy move on his part.
The comedian continues by joking that the rec-player’s list of offenses will be going into the bylaws for Los Angeles Football Club that kicks off in 2018.
Ferrell joins LAFC as co-owner along the side of Los Angeles Laker legend Magic Johnson, ex-MLB pitcher Nomar Garciaparra and U.S. Women’s Soccer legend Mia Hamm.
LAFC joins the two-market soccer city in Los Angeles with a strong ownership group that will surely provide a great matchup for the future LA Derby.
Bringing celebrities into the game of soccer is not new – but has never been done so well. People may remember that David Beckham was the first celebrity soccer personality to help grow the game in the USA but Will Ferrell and the LA Football Club are taking glamorizing soccer to a new level. Check out if this approach will be the best thing to ever happen to MLS ….
Photo Credit: Los Angeles Football Club (logo) and Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com for top image of Will Ferrell at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘The Campaign’ held at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, USA on August 2, 2012. Second image – Will Ferrell & wife Viveca Paulin at the 2013 LACMA Art+Film Gala at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Picture: Paul Smith / Featureflash. Editorial Credit: Featureflash / Shutterstock.com
