You probably know Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis from Desperate Housewives or maybe from her recent directorial work. But if you’ve been following the business of sports lately, you know she’s traded the suburbs of Wisteria Lane for the sidelines of global football.
Honestly, it's a huge move.
When people search for "Eva Longoria soccer team," they usually expect to find one club. In reality, she’s built a portfolio that spans across borders, genders, and leagues. We’re talking about Angel City FC in Los Angeles, Club Necaxa in Mexico, and even a fresh stake in the Colombian side La Equidad.
She isn't just a face in a luxury box. She’s part of a wave of celebrities proving that sports ownership is the new "it" investment, right alongside celebrity tequila brands. But unlike a bottle of reposado, a soccer team involves heart-pounding weekly drama, complex international tax laws, and a fanbase that will let you know exactly how they feel about your performance.
The Angel City FC Revolution in LA
Longoria was an early believer in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She joined a star-studded founding group that included Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, and Jennifer Garner to launch Angel City FC in 2020.
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It was a gamble.
At the time, people were still debating if women's soccer could be a "real" business. Longoria and her partners didn't just prove it—they blew the roof off the building. By 2024, the club reached a staggering $250 million valuation, making it the most valuable women's sports team in the world.
Even with Disney CEO Bob Iger and Willow Bay recently taking a controlling stake in the team for a massive $50 million injection, Longoria remains a key part of the ownership tapestry. This team is famous for its "10% model," where a tenth of all sponsorship revenue goes directly back into the local Los Angeles community. It’s a purposeful way of doing business that Longoria has championed from day one.
Crossing the Border: Club Necaxa and "La Patrona"
While Angel City was her first foray, her most personal project is arguably Club Necaxa.
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Necaxa is one of Mexico's oldest and most storied clubs, but let's be real: they’ve had a rough go of it lately. Based in Aguascalientes, the team has struggled to find its footing in Liga MX, often overshadowed by the giants in Mexico City.
In 2021, Longoria joined an investment group (including Mesut Özil and Kate Upton) to buy a 50% stake in the club. She didn't just write a check. She showed up. She started learning the inner workings of the Mexican league, which she calls "the national language" of Mexico.
The Wrexham Effect
If this sounds like a familiar script, it's because it is. Longoria teamed up with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney—the guys who turned Wrexham AFC into a global phenomenon—to apply that same "docuseries magic" to Necaxa.
The FX show, titled Necaxa, premiered in August 2025. It follows Longoria as she navigates being a woman in a male-dominated sport and an American trying to win over a skeptical Mexican fanbase. They even gave her a nickname: La Patrona (The Boss).
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- Valuation Spike: When the group first invested, reports put the club's value in the low nine figures. By 2022, it was already estimated at over $200 million.
- Cultural Impact: For Longoria, this is about more than money. It's about showcasing Mexican excellence and building a bridge for the Latino community in the U.S.
- The Struggle: The documentary doesn't hide the grit. Soccer is hard. Winning is harder. Necaxa isn't winning every game, and the "horrible" Spanish Longoria jokingly admits to having makes for some very human, very vulnerable TV.
Expanding the Empire: La Equidad and Beyond
Eva Longoria isn't stopping at the North American border. In early 2024, news broke via The Athletic that she, along with her Wrexham buddies Reynolds and McElhenney, took a stake in the Colombian club La Equidad.
Why Colombia?
It’s about the "Leagues Cup" era and the 2026 World Cup. Soccer interest in the U.S. is projected to grow by over 60% as the tournament nears. Longoria is positioning herself as a multi-national player in the sport. She’s essentially building a network of teams that can share resources, scouting, and media attention.
What This Means for You (and the Sport)
If you're a fan of the Eva Longoria soccer team (whichever one you're rooting for), you're seeing a total shift in how sports are owned. It’s no longer just about old billionaires in suits. It’s about "attraction capital"—using celebrity reach to bring in sponsors and eyeballs that wouldn't normally care about a mid-table Liga MX match.
The stakes are high. Critics argue that these celebrity investments might be a "fizzling fad," similar to the celebrity restaurant craze of the 90s. But the numbers don't lie. Attendance is up, valuations are skyrocketing, and the 2026 World Cup is going to act like rocket fuel for these investments.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans and Investors:
- Watch the Docuseries: If you want to see the "business" side of how Longoria manages Necaxa, check out the Necaxa series on FX or Hulu. It's the best way to see the reality behind the headlines.
- Follow the NWSL: Angel City FC plays at BMO Stadium in LA. Their games are high-energy and often sell out. If you’re into the growth of women's sports, following their season is a must.
- Track the 2026 World Cup: Longoria was recently named an Official Community Ambassador for the 2026 World Cup in Los Angeles. Keep an eye on her initiatives there, as she'll likely be the bridge between the professional teams and local grassroots soccer.
- Look for Multi-Club Ownership: This is the big trend. If you see Longoria or Reynolds buying into another team, pay attention. They are building a "syndicate" model that is likely the future of mid-tier professional sports.
The era of the celebrity "passive investor" is over. Eva Longoria is a "hands-on" owner, and whether she's in LA or Aguascalientes, she's proving that "La Patrona" is a title she's earned through more than just a famous name.