Simon Jordan’s Career Stretches From Selling Mobile Phones to Owning a Sports Team

English businessman Simon Jordan has had his hand in an array of businesses. He has been involved in magazines, television and radio, film production, and the sports industry. As one of the most recognized businessmen in England and football (soccer), he often becomes the topic of discussion. In March 2023, Eddie Hearn accused Jordan of filing for bankruptcy during a heated debate live on talkSPORT, though he denied the claims.

Is Simon Jordan rich?

Jordan grew up seeing success. His father, Peter, was a professional player for Crystal Palace, a football club that currently competes in the Premier League, the highest level of football in England. For a few years, that team was among the numerous companies and services that Simon Jordan owned and built up his net worth.

So, how wealthy is the former Crystal Palace owner? Let's take a look.

Jordan's net worth isn't known. However, in an interview with The Sun, Jordan said he lost millions of pounds due to the Spanish and American real estate market crashes. He also had a 4-million-pound portfolio with former financial firm Lehman Brothers that was reduced to 2 million pounds. In 2018, Jordan was robbed at gunpoint for a watch that was reportedly worth 135,000 pounds.

Although a figure hasn't been confirmed, some speculate Jordan could be worth as little as $5 million and as much as $100 million.

Along with his business partner Andrew Briggs, Jordan cofounded Pocket Phone Shop, a mobile phone business. Each reportedly invested 15,000 British pounds to launch the company, which ended up being the second-biggest independent phone retailer behind Carphone Warehouse. There were over 150 Pocket Phone Shops across the country.

Jordan ended up selling the business to One2One for 73 million pounds, leaving Jordan with 36.5 million pounds in the deal. One2One was later rebranded as T-Mobile.

In his younger years, Jordan was a talented football player, signing schoolboy contracts with Chelsea F.C. and Crystal Palace F.C. Such contracts are for young athletes between the ages of nine and 16, and typically last for two years. The agreements include perks such as paid education and football development. Depending on the athlete's age, the club may choose to renew the contract, sign the player to the club’s youth program, or end the agreement.

With the help of the 36.5 million pounds Jordan gained from selling his phone business, he purchased Crystal Palace F.C. in July 2000 — though not directly. He made a deal with businessman Jerry Lim to buy the club for him.

According to Jordan, Lim set up a company called CPFC 2000 Ltd. to make the purchase. He then immediately sold the company to Jordan for 10 million pounds. After appointing himself chairman, Jordan became the Football League's youngest chairman in history.

In January 2010, with Jordan reportedly being over 20 million pounds in debt and failing to sell the club, Crystal Palace went into administration. As a result, Jordan gave up control of the company to an appointed administrator. Jordan claims that he lost over 50 million pounds in the 10 years he owned the team.