Why has Lewis Hamilton invested in the Denver Broncos?
Rob Walton, owner of the Denver Broncos, announced the addition of the seven-time F1 champion to the group of co-owners of the NFL franchise.
After the acquisition of the Denver Broncos by the Walton-Penner family, headed by Rob Walton, heir to retail giants Walmart, the new structure of the NFL team begins to take shape. On Tuesday, there was a surprise announcement that seven-time Formula 1 champion, Lewis Hamilton as the new co-owner of the franchise.
The incorporation of the British driver was announced through a statement issued by the owner of the Broncos, Rob Walton. Hamilton joins a new group of owners with whom they will seek to build a winning team, as trust the experience and competitive desire that the F1 storied will bring to the ownership group.
“We are delighted to welcome seven-time Formula 1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our ownership group. He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team and is 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 Broncos organization,” the statement signed by majority owner Rob Walton read.
Hamilton expands his portfolio
Earlier this year, Hamilton was believed to have committed to a $13M stake in Sir Martin Broughton’s bid to buy Chelsea after Roman Abramovich put the soccer club up for sale. Hamilton has an extensive portfolio, having invested in various companies. He owns a stake in London-based, rapid grocery delivery start-up Zapp. He has also ventured into real estate, having built up a sizeable empire valued at $130 million, with properties in London, New York, Geneva and Monaco. He is also co-founder of vegan burger restaurant chain Neat Burger with several establishments in the English capital and the first US diner due to open in Manhattan this autumn.
With the incorporation of the Mercedes driver, the new structure of the Denver Broncos begins to take shape following the Walton-Penner family’s $4.6 billion dollar acquisition of the franchise - making the Broncos deal the most expensive sale of an NFL franchise, almost double the previous record of $2.275 billion set in July 2018 when Jerry Richardson sold the Carolina Panthers to David Tepper, the billionaire owner of hedge fund company Appaloosa Management.