After the Donald Sterling situation with the Los Angeles Clippers a couple of years ago the team was put up for sale. Steve Ballmer ended up purchasing the team for a cool $2 billion, but he was far from the only person that had interest in the team. Among the people that had interest in buying the team was Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr.
Mayweather would not have been able to buy the Clippers by himself, but he was interested in throwing his name in the ring. Mayweather is famous for placing huge bets on sporting events, but now he says he would like to take a step back from that.
Mayweather did not reveal which team he is eyeing, but he is very serious about becoming the owner of an NBA franchise. While Mayweather would like to become an owner he likely would not be able to buy a team on his own. The minimum amount a team would go for nowadays is around $700 million, and although Mayweather is a very wealthy man he isn't quite that wealthy. Mayweather spoke on his willingness to buy an NBA team at a press conference for Ashley Theophane, a boxer he helps promote.
In order for Mayweather to buy a team he will need several partners, like Magic Johnson did in becoming part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In the past Mayweather has said that he was rounding up partners to be able to make a legitimate bid. The 39-year-old legendary boxer said he spoke to a couple of his "billionaire guys" to see what they can put together.
In order for Mayweather to be able to own a team he would have to stop the betting, which it seems as though he is prepared to do. There are other obstacles for Mayweather, though, including his past legal issues. In order for Mayweather to become the owner of a team he would need the approval of all of the other owners, and they may decide to hold his past infractions against him if this process were to ever begin.
Overall this news isn't anything new for Mayweather as he seemed serious about becoming an owner back in 2014 too. Now he is reiterating how serious he is about this, and it could be more likely now than ever considering he is retired from boxing. If this was to happen, and it is still a long shot, Mayweather seems fine with quitting the gambling, and while that may remove some entertainment from our lives it will be a better business decision for him.
