Former world champion boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr has jokingly suggested he could buy Newcastle United.
The Magpies have been subject to numerous bouts of takeover speculation throughout owner Mike Ashley's tenure, with Saudi Arabia's Prince Mohammed bin Salman the latest individual linked with buying the club.
Mayweather retired from boxing undefeated in 2017, winning 50 out of 50 professional fights and 15 major world titles in the process.
Speaking at the O2 City Hall in Newcastle during the Evening with Floyd Mayweather tour, event moderator Steve Wraith said: "The last time you were in Newcastle it was reported that you were very, very interested in buying Newcastle United…"
In a video posted on TMZ, Mayweather is quoted as replying: "In the US we call it soccer, but the Newcastle football team is an unbelievable team...a hell of a team."
In response to the crowd's delighted response, he added: "If the people want me to buy the Newcastle team, let me know!"
According to the Mirror, Mayweather's team later confirmed to TNZ that the former world champion was interested in investing, but formal talks are yet to take place.
The Sun states that the former boxer has a net worth of £700m, taking home £300m after his high-profile fight with Connor McGregor in 2017.
According to Forbes, Mayweather was the highest paid athlete of the 2010s, earning £686m over the course of the decade. Imagine how many Joelinton's you could buy with that.
Sports Direct chief executive Mike Ashley bought Newcastle for £135m in 2007. Since his takeover, the club have had 10 separate permanent managers, two stints in the Championship, and Alan Pardew was handed an eight-year contract.
Ashley sacked popular boss Chris Hughton in 2010, and could not persuade the universally loved Rafa Benitez to stay at the end of the 2018/19 season.
His appointment of Steve Bruce did not go down well with the Geordie faithful, however Bruce has guided Newcastle to 13th in the Premier League and an FA Cup quarter-final in his first season.
Source :
90min
