Malcolm Jenkins, a former NFL player, made history as the first active player to be a minority owner in England’s Burnley FC in the English Premier League (EPL). A three-time Pro Bowl safety, he announced in 2021 that he had become an investor in the club through his holding company, Malcolm INC and Disrupt Sports Partners, joining the ownership group ALK Capital.
At the time Jenkins invested in Burnley FC, he was playing for the New Orleans Saints. He took advantage of the opportunity to invest in the company because it aligns with his values.
In a press release, he noted, “I’m excited to enter this new relationship, as Burnley FC is known for its tenacity, work ethic, good sportsmanship and efficient operational infrastructure. It’s a great fit for me personally and my company to invest in the growth of the sport alongside a historic organization that aligns with our company values.”
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Jenkins visited Turf Moor stadium at the time and was happy about what he saw around the team’s home. “I think the club’s doing a great job with some of the updates around the stadium and to see the vision of where they want to go in creating a venue that’s not only a great place to come and watch a game is really exciting,” Jenkins noted.
Jenkins retired from the NFL in 2022 after 12 years and made more than $70 million in salary and bonuses, as per CNBC Make It.
On Sunday, he shared a statement on LinkedIn after visiting Turf Moor again.
“It was great to be back at the Turf Moor for Burnley F.C.’s matchup with Preston!,” he said. “In October 2021, my company Malcolm Inc. became a minority investor in Burnley F.C. and it was a special moment for me, not just because I was excited to have an investment in a sports league but more so that I was setting an example to others that ownership is POSSIBLE. At the time, I was the first professional football player to have a minority stake in a Premier League franchise.”
Jenkins, an author, business owner, philanthropist, former athlete, and father, turned down a deal for $6 million from the NFL in 2022. The decision helped him to concentrate on his business ventures.
Today, he has several businesses in the media, tech, apparel, real estate, and food industries. The New Jersey native runs Damari, the Philadelphia ‘fashion house’; Disrupt Foods, a restaurant franchise network and investment company; and E&R Real Estate, a developer with projects in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia.
