Bournemouth celebrating the first Premier League owner to win an Oscar

Bournemouth are basking in Hollywood glory after minority stakeholder Michael B. Jordan became the first Premier League club owner to claim an Academy Award, adding yet another layer of prestige to the Vitality Stadium operation.

Jordan, who joined Bill Foley’s Black Knight FC takeover of the Cherries in December 2022, was named Best Actor at Sunday’s Oscar ceremony in Los Angeles for his dual performance as identical twins Elijah ‘Smoke’ and Elias ‘Stack’ Moore in the period horror thriller Sinners. The 39-year-old edged out fellow heavyweights Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and Ethan Hawke to secure the coveted statuette, capping a season in which he has already collected the Critics’ Choice and Actor awards for the same role.

The accolade meant Jordan missed Bournemouth’s 0-0 draw at Burnley 24 hours earlier, but the club hierarchy were quick to toast his triumph. Sinners walked away with four Oscars on the night, underlining the film’s dominance at the 2024/25 awards season.

In an emotional acceptance speech, Jordan thanked supporters “in this room and everybody at home for supporting me over my career,” promising to “keep stepping up” and “be the best version of myself.” While there was no direct mention of AFC Bournemouth, the club have felt his influence since the American’s arrival: Jordan has attended multiple fixtures and designed a bespoke pre-season kit worn by the squad ahead of the current campaign.

Speaking on the Tony Bellew Is Angry podcast in 2023, Jordan outlined how the investment came together. “It kind of got cooking for some months, for about a year or so,” he said. “Just talking with my partner Bill Foley… my business partners, Nullah and Bryce, we wanted to get into sports. The opportunity presented itself. A team that was in the Premier League and competitive, a great culture and people there in Bournemouth… a franchise we felt like we could add value and try to help get the team over the hump.”

The Cherries, currently benefitting from polished match-day hospitality in the Cherry Orchard Restaurant—complete with gourmet three-course dining, premium padded seats and complimentary programmes—now find themselves uniquely linked to cinema’s biggest prize. As the only Premier League owner with an Oscar on the mantelpiece, Jordan has elevated Bournemouth’s profile far beyond the south coast.