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According to ESPNBale and the investment group, featuring members of the Storch family, are negotiating a deal to take full control of Plymouth’s Home Park stadium and operations.

Bale’s exact role in the potential takeover remains unclear. But Plymouth chairman Simon Hallett is said to be open to new investment opportunities following a failed sale attempt last month.

Founded in 1886, Plymouth are a club rich in tradition but have mostly competed in England’s lower divisions. In the 2024–25 season, the club dismissed head coach Wayne Rooney, a Manchester United legend, and then stunned Premier League giants Liverpool with a 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory. However, the season ended in disappointment as Plymouth finished 23rd in the Championship and were relegated to League One.

The club are also undergoing a managerial shake-up. Coach Miron Mislic has left to join Bundesliga club Schalke 04 and former Manchester United player Tom Cleverley has been appointed as his successor.

The deal aligns with a growing trend of U.S.-based investors teaming up with sports celebrities to boost their profile when acquiring English clubs.

Recently, star midfielder Luka Modric became a co-owner of Swansea City.

NFL legend Tom Brady is part of the Birmingham City ownership group, and professional golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas have invested in Leeds United, which are set for Premier League promotion in the 2025–26 season.

Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney sparked the trend with their 2021 purchase of Wrexham AFC for £2 million (US$2.7 million). The club have since achieved back-to-back promotions and will compete in the Championship next season, their first time in the league since the 1981–82 season.

Bale began his professional career at Southampton and rose to prominence during his spell at Tottenham Hotspur from 2007 to 2013. He then made a record-breaking $113 million move to Real Madrid, where he played from 2013 to 2022, returning briefly to Tottenham on loan in 2020–21 before finishing his career at Los Angeles FC in the U.S.

During his time at Real Madrid, Bale scored 106 goals in 258 appearances, winning 16 trophies, including five Champions League and three La Liga titles. Among his most iconic moments are the spectacular bicycle kick against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final and the decisive goals in the 2014 Champions League and Copa del Rey finals.

With 111 caps and 41 goals, Bale is Wales’ all-time top scorer and appearance holder. He led his country to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, the Euro 2021 round of 16 and the group stage of the 2022 World Cup. His final goal came via penalty in a 1-1 draw against the U.S. during that tournament. For his achievement with the national team, Bale is widely regarded as the greatest Welsh player of all time.