In 2001, Ellis, was linked with a £9m takeover of Queens Park Rangers FC.[1] Ellis' father, Peter Ellis, was QPR chairman during the mid-1990s.
2002 saw an Ellis-led consortium pay £500,000 for troubled Northampton Town FC, which was otherwise headed for liquidation.[2] Ellis initially took over as chairman, later bringing brother-in-law David Cardoza in the role.
When Scottish businessman David Murray announced he was planning to sell Rangers F.C. in 2009, Ellis was one of the names linked with a bid. Speculation heightened in March 2010 when Rangers announced they had had discussions with Ellis. In June 2010, it was announced 'advanced talks' were taking place.[3] Ellis joined the board of Rangers following the takeover of the club by Craig Whyte, he is a Director and 29% shareholder in the club.[4]
In January 2012, Andrew Ellis told the BBC how he was "delighted to join the board at Rangers," stating his commitment to: "making sure Rangers remains the number one club in Scotland."[5] When Rangers went into administration in February 2012 with an unpaid tax bill of £9 million, Ellis was the first board member to break ranks in apologising to the club's fans. He said: "I can only say I'm sorry to the Rangers fans. Bringing in Craig Whyte was done in good faith."[6]