For Conor McGregor’s next trick, he will attempt to turn whiskey earnings into a soccer team.
The UFC fighter turned heads last month when he tweeted that he was “certainly interested in” buying a sports team, including Manchester United. That was before fans stormed the field on May 2, protesting the current owners, the Glazer family.
With fans desperate for a change, the Irish Times reported that the Glazers open to selling — but for $5.6 billion. However, ESPN says the family is “unfazed by the hostility and unlikely to sell.”
McGregor would need more than the proceeds from the recent $600 million sale of his whiskey brand, Proper No. 12, if he wants to buy the storied club. His net worth is now estimated at around $250 million, and the team is worth around $4.2 billion, per Forbes.
The 32-year-old said on Sunday that he also has his eye on a more affordable property: Celtic FC of the Scottish Premiership, recently valued at $98.7 million. McGregor said he wants to own a sports team “at some stage,” adding, “I feel I could do big things for a club.”
Spotify founder Daniel Ek is also shopping for a soccer team. He put together a bid for Arsenal with team legend Thierry Henry, but no sale appears imminent.
Meanwhile, McGregor, who is 22-5-0, is not done as a fighter. He will take on Dustin Poirier for the third time in front of a full-capacity crowd in Las Vegas on July 10.
