Denver, United States of America (USA)- Seven-time Formula 1 world champion, Lewis Hamilton, is set to be part-owner of the National Football League (NFL) team, the Denver Broncos.
In June, the Broncos and the Walton-Penner family, led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the takeover of the team in a deal reportedly worth US$4.65 billion, a record for an American sports franchise.
According to the Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group, Hamilton will have an ownership stake when it completes its US$4.65billion takeover, which is set to be finalized on August 9.
“We are delighted to welcome seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our ownership group. He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team and a fierce advocate for global equality, including in his own sport.
With over 100 race wins, Lewis is considered the most successful F1 driver of all time. His resilient spirit and standard of excellence will be an asset to the ownership group and the Broncos organization,” said Rob Walton.
Hamilton also joins former United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who also has a stake in the franchise.
In April, Hamilton pledged investment into Premier League side Chelsea, by backing the Broughton consortium, but the club was eventually sold to a consortium led by Todd Boehly.
“Excited to join an incredible group of owners and become a part of the Broncos story! Honoured to work with a world class team and serve as an example of the value of more diverse leadership across all sports,” said Hamilton.
A collector of vintage cars, Walton made the motorsport headlines in 2012 when he crashed a US$15 million Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe at Laguna Seca.
The Waltons are America’s richest family and the takeover, which needs to gain the approval of 24 of the 32 NFL owners on 9 August, would be a record for a US sports franchise
With a personal wealth of US$61.3 billion, Walton is listed by Forbesexternal-link as the 19th richest person in the world and would become by far the wealthiest NFL owner should his acquisition be approved.
The Broncos are three-time Super Bowl champions. However, since winning Super Bowl 50 in 2016, the Broncos have never made the playoffs, but the team has been tipped to perform strongly this season, which starts in September, this year.
