Lewis Hamilton became the first F1 driver to have a share in an NFL franchise. Motorsport fans in the United States massively welcomed his move to partly own a team across the Atlantic.
Plus, NFL being associated with the most popular Formula 1 star in the contemporary era is also a win for the most viewed American sport. So, commercially the move is a masterstroke.
Hamilton is a part of the group Walton-Penner Family group. They bought the franchise for $4.65 billion. A record for the globally most expensive franchise takeover. So why did it pique Hamilton’s interest?
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Why Lewis Hamilton bought Denver Broncos? He explains
The seven-time world champion reportedly has shown interest in investing in Chelsea and is now also interested in buying Manchester United under the bid of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
But the only franchise he has been able to have some control over successfully is the Broncos. But what made him invest in something that’s an ocean away from his residence?
He reveals on the Jimmy Kimmel TV show that when he was a kid, he got exposed to NFL as he used to live in an American air base. At that time, he got exposed to the sport and instantly fell in love. He then even used to play video games.
The Briton has been to several Super Bowl games and thoroughly enjoys the sport. He reveals that he even went to the first NFL game in the UK that happened when he was just in the UK.
So the love was always there, but he needed an opportunity to be involved in the game, and when he received one, he grabbed it like a toddler grabbing a ball.
“Melody Hobson [Chairwoman of Starbucks] called me and said she had this amazing opportunity and would I like to be a part of it, and I jumped at it,” said Hamilton on the show.
He saw them live in LA
Hamilton, for the first time as the part-owner of the team, went to see his team in Los Angeles against the Chargers last October. He was in full swing to hype up his team and even posted about it on his social media.
The F1 star was spotted with Rob Walton, Greg Penner and Carrie Walton Penner. However, his team lost the match with a small margin of 16-19. Nevertheless, the Walton-Penner group are delighted to have him in their ownership camp.
Considering his active voice on equality and diversity and his global fame owing to his decorated F1 career. Hamilton is a strong asset to the majority of stakeholders in the team.
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