Lewis Hamilton could become a Premier League club owner.
The Formula 1 driver could join billionaire Jim Ratcliffe’s potential bid for Manchester United, according to The Mirror — which wouldn’t be the first time the pair teamed up.
- Ratcliffe — reportedly Britain’s richest man — owns French club OCG Nice and has a majority stake in the INEOS chemicals group, of which he’s chairman and CEO.
- INEOS is the principal sponsor of Hamilton’s Mercedes team, which Ratcliffe also co-owns.
Last year, Hamilton and Ratcliffe were in separate consortiums bidding to buy Chelsea FC, but both lost to a group led by Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, and Sparks owner Todd Boehly.
“I haven’t had a call from [Ratcliffe] asking if I want to be involved in [a United takeover bid] just yet, but I do want to get more and more involved in teams because I really do believe in Black ownership — there is a lack of it in sports — and Black equity,” Hamilton said.
Goodbye Glazers
The Glazer family announced in November it would explore a sale of the club, which Forbes last valued at $4.6 billion.
Fans have protested the Glazers’ ownership for what they see as misguided management and a lack of investment in the teams and stadium.
The Glazers, who also own the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, are reportedly looking for a price above $7.2 billion.
