Lots of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media, after former Boxing world title-holder Floyd Mayweather suggested he would be interested in buying the club from Mike Ashley.
The Magpies are well-known to be up for sale with Sports Direct tycoon Ashley long said to be chasing £300million to up sticks and leave St. James’ Park, though no potential takeover has yet ever resulted in his departure from Tyneside.
Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund were believed to be an instrumental backer in a proposed takeover bid worth £340million earlier this year, with PIF said to have been on course to take control of 80% of the club while financier Amanda Staveley would put forward the remaining 20%.
Mayweather may now have thrown his hat into the ring, after suggesting he could purchase the club during a Q&A at City Hall on Saturday night as part of his “An evening with” tour.
Per quotes by TMZ, when asked by moderator and well-known Toon fan Steve Wraith, Mayweather said: “In the U.S. we call it soccer, but the Newcastle football team is an unbelievable team, a hell of a team.
“If the people want me to buy the Newcastle team, let me know!”
Who would you prefer as the owner of Newcastle United?
Mayweather
Ashley
Mayweather was among Forbes’ top-100 highest-earning athletes in 2018 after making $285million (£218.6m) from the $550m (£422m) revenue generated from his fight versus UFC icon Conor McGregor in Las Vegas.
The boxing superstar missed out on Forbes’ T100 list in 2019, but online sites speculate Mayweather’s net worth to be anywhere between $505m (£387.4m) and $700m-1billion (£537.1m-767.3m).
As well as circulating the quotes, TMZ contacted Mayweather’s representatives to discuss his interest in purchasing United, to which the American site was informed that the athlete is actually open to buying a stake in the club – suggesting a potential consortium involvement may be on the cards.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to the potential seismic deal that would see Mayweather purchase Newcastle from Ashley…
I have no words. https://t.co/6ors8GaU5B
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) March 9, 2020
I wish
— Matty 🍋 (@MattyFoster15) March 9, 2020
A master of his craft. Which also includes PR and staying in the papers. This is about as likely as Mayweather Pacquaio 2 that he brings up every year 😂
— Matthew (@JB4t00n) March 9, 2020
What does he really know about football. Be even more clueless about running a business as big as toon as Cashley is.
— Alfie (@Alfie62927216) March 9, 2020
He could buy part but he probably doesn’t have enough to buy it all
— Shane Fagan (@shanefagan) March 9, 2020
They found a buyer that I would actually say “ I’d rather have Ashley”. Congrats
— Toon Man US (@us_toon) March 9, 2020
Lol doubt he could afford it
— Simon (@LittleHenryD) March 9, 2020
Can’t lie, The Money Team Arena has a ring to it.
— charlie (@LWRS93) March 9, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, a £10m summer target has been taken off the board after his current side presented a firm resistance to any move.