Newcastle United could have a new celebrity owner, and it would continue the recent trend of Americans owning English Premier League sides. World Wrestling Entertainment (or WWE, formerly WWF) owner Vince McMahon has been rumored to be taking full ownership of Premier League side Newcastle United in business deal that NO ONE would see coming.
According to The Independent, with h/t to Fark:
McMahon is reported to be interested in purchasing the club from current owner Mike Ashley, and a bid could materialise in the not too distant future with the Londoner reportedly keen to sell the Magpies. But does that mean we’ll be seeing a Geordie edition of the showcase event Wrestlemania anytime soon? Well, yes. We very well could be.
British website www.winnersports.co.uk have claimed the billionaire has been “sniffing around” the club with a view to making a bid.
They claim a Newcastle United insider said: “Vince McMahon has been sniffing around the club and seems keen on pursuing his interest.
“He sees England as an untapped market for his wrestling empire. He has even indicated he could put on wrestling bouts at St James’s Park
“Obviously it is very early days but there is hope the fans may get what they want with Ashley leaving. Buying a club like Newcastle would throw him into the spotlight in England which is just what he is looking to do.”
This certainly would be more of an upset than the Glazer family buying Manchester United. Newcastle United have a valuation of $263 million and £168 million according to Forbes, placing them as the 20th most valuable football franchise in the world. The Magpies inked a new kit sponsorship deal that will have Wonga.com replace Virgin Money that will also include stdaium naming rights beginning with the 2013-14 season for $37.6 million over four years.
The 68-year-old McMahon is supposedly worth $950,000,000, according to celebrity net worth.com
Paul M. Banks owns The Sports Bank.net, an affiliate of Fox Sports. An MBA and Fulbright scholar, he’s also a frequent analyst on news talk radio; with regular segments on ESPN,NBC, CBS and Fox. A former NBC Chicago and Washington Times writer, he’s also been featured on the History Channel. President Obama follows him on Twitter (@paulmbanks)