Mercedes Formula 1 star and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will become a co-owner of the National Football League franchise the Denver Broncos.
Hamilton, who owns a home in Colorado, will join the Walton-Penner family led by Walmart heir Rob Walton as the new owners of the franchise pending approval from the NFL, which will be determined shortly.
If the deal goes through the acquisition of the Broncos will become the most expensive sports deal in American franchise history with the takeover costing $4.65billion in total.
Twitter announcement
Hamilton’s role in the team was confirmed by the Denver Broncos Twitter account with the team putting out a statement made by Rob Walton himself. The statement cites Hamilton’s record number of wins in Formula 1 as one of the reasons for the partnership, as well as his continued excellence in the sport over the past decade.
“He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team and a fierce advocate for global equality, including in his own sport,” the statement reads.
“With over 100 race wins, Lewis is considered the most successful driver of all time.
“His resilient spirit and standard of excellence will be an asset to the ownership group and the Broncos organization.”
Hamilton a fan of Colorado
Hamilton in the past has stated that his mansion in the Colorado mountains could be considered his primary residence given the number of memories he has at the house.
“In my winter, I go to the mountains [in Colorado], which I really see as my main home, because it’s a house and it’s full of love and memories from people, the family that come every winter,” Hamilton previously told the BBC.
Hamilton’s other ventures
Despite finding unprecedented on-track success, Hamilton has a wide array of business ventures including owning the X44 Xtreme E team as well as venturing into the fashion world with interests in W Magazine and collaborating with Tommy Hilfiger, which saw Hamilton launch his own clothing line.
The high-profile deal with the Broncos represents Hamilton’s first foray into mainstream sports (excluding Formula 1) and should see the Mercedes driver expand his presence in the United States.
