THE billionaire twins who claimed they “invented Facebook” have officially become co-owners of an English non-league side.
American tech moguls Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss have finalised a £3.5million investment in eighth tier outfit Real Bedford.
The Winklevoss’ may be best known from the Oscar winning film ‘The Social Network’, where their early role in Facebook was portrayed by Armie Hammer.
The brothers, who unsuccessfully sued Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, have since gone on to found cryptocurrency exchange Gemini and have a net worth of £2.14billion.
Their deal in Real Bedford sees them take a 45 per cent stake in the club to become co-owners.
A deal in principle for their investment was reached and announced in April 2024 after Gemini started its sponsorship in January 2022.
But final documents were only signed on Wednesday after full terms were agreed.
The investment is in cash, not bitcoin, contrary to reports last year, according to Sky Sports.
The identical twins will work alongside chairman and owner Peter McCormack, who is a cryptocurrency podcaster.
The investment will be used for the development of a training centre, the launch of a talent academy and to continue supporting youth football.
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McCormack bought Real Bedford – then in the 10th tier and called Bedford FC – in January 2022.
He told the BBC: “The fact the Winklevoss twins are now co-owners is massive.
“They want to be involved in the running of the club and I will do the day-to-day business but we will be speaking regularly.
“This investment is huge for the town of Bedford. The money will be used to help the club pursue its league ambitions.”
Rob Hepburn, a corporate lawyer who advised the Winklevoss’ on their investment, told Sky Sports: “It’s a really exciting time for the lower leagues of football in England.
“We’ve seen the success that Salford City and Wrexham have had with big injections of cash and Real Bedford look set to continue the trend.
“The deal illustrates again the appeal of English football to investors, particularly where there is a media angle to it.”
Away from business, the Winklevoss’ are also known for having competed for the USA in the men’s pair rowing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
In 2011, the brothers’ claim that Zuckerberg stole their idea while classmates at Harvard University was dismissed in court as a judge ordered them to accept a cash and stock settlement in the platform.
Real Bedford attracts an average of only 300 spectators per game, and the pair hope their investment can help it climb from the eighth tier to the Premier League.
Although that seems like an unrealistic goal, the club are top of the Southern League Division One Central after back-to-back promotions.
The team is in discussions to merge with Bedford Town, which is in the seventh tier.
