Serena WilliamsandLewis Hamiltonhave reportedly teamed up on a new business venture.
This Thursday, the tennis star and the Formula One champion have pledged an estimated £10 million ($13.06 million) each to join a bid for the Chelsea Football Club, a source toldReuters.
Via reports from the outlet, private equity veterans Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who own sport teams including the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, are also backing Broughton’s bid.
“We can confirm Lewis has joined Sir Martin Broughton’s bid,” a spokesperson for Hamilton toldThe Guardian. According to the outlet, the 37-year-old Mercedes driver aims to “have a positive effect on diversity and inclusion at Chelsea and in the club’s local community.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; Theo Wargo/Getty Images
This will not be the first stake Williams, 40, has held in a sports team — she is already an investor in Los Angeles' Angel City FC, which will make its debut in the National Women’s Soccer League later this month.
Others on the shortlist to buy the Premier League club are L.A. Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Boston Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca,ESPNreports.
Alexander Hassenstein - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Bids to buy the premier league team began after the club’s owner, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, announced putting the team up for sale in astatementon March 2.
Abramovich’s decision was made after British government sanctions imposed on him following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club’s sponsors and partners,” the statement said.
“The sale of the club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process,” Abramovich continued. “I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and club.”
“Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.”
“It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart,” the Russian investor concluded.
In a March 10statementfrom the club, the team also shared that “the UK Government has issued a general license that permits Chelsea FC to continue certain activities” in light of the owner’s recent sanctions.
The sanctions on Abramovich is one of the many directed at Russians since PresidentVladimir Putinfirst began his invasion of Ukraine in late February.
Russia’sattack on Ukrainecontinues after their forces launched a large-scale invasion on Feb. 24 — the first major land conflict in Europe in decades.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (L); Vladimir Putin.getty
With NATO forces massing in the region around Ukraine, various countries have also pledged aid or military support to the resistance. Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyycalled for peace talks — so far unsuccessful — while urging his country to fight back.
Putin insists Ukraine has historic ties to Russia and he is acting in the best security interests of his country. Zelenskyy, 44, vowed not to bend.
“Nobody is going to break us, we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians,“he told the European Unionin a speech in the early days of the fighting, adding, “Life will win over death. And light will win over darkness.”
source: people.com
