By Alan Baldwin
London – Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time Formula One world champion who recently invested in the Denver Broncos, said that he wants to increase his involvement with clubs to increase Black ownership and equity in sports.
Thursday at the Dutch Grand Prix, Hamilton was questioned about rumors that co-owner of the Mercedes F1 team, British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, planned to purchase English soccer powerhouse Manchester United.
Ratcliffe, the CEO of INEOS, already owns the French soccer team OGC Nice and the cycling team INEOS Grenadiers.
“I aspire to construct something with Jim in the future. I have no idea where it will be or what it will be “Hamilton said to reporters in Zandvoort that they had not discussed United.
“Because there is a dearth of Black ownership and Black equality in sports, I want to get further active with clubs. That is very lacking.”
This year, both Hamilton and Ratcliffe attempted unsuccessful offers for United’s Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Hamilton was a member of a partnership that includes tennis superstar Serena Williams, who has a stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins — whose Hard Rock stadium staged its debut Formula One race this year.
Hamilton, whose Caribbean-born paternal ancestors immigrated to Britain, is the only Black Formula One driver and is vocal about racial problems and boosting diversity in the sport.
It was revealed last month that he has joined the ownership group of the Broncos of the National Football League.
The 32 NFL teams said in March 2017 that they wanted to promote ownership diversity.
“With the Broncos, I really want to concentrate on what I can do in terms of D&I (diversity and inclusion) inside the squad and within the infrastructure and surrounds in terms of the stadium and the housing that they end up constructing when you have a new stadium,” said Hamilton.
The possibility that exists is quite thrilling.
In an interview with Vanity Fair magazine published the previous month, Hamilton said that he was transitioning into an entrepreneur with interests spanning from vegan eateries to the music business and fashion.
Mellody Hobson, chair of Starbucks and minority owner of the Denver Broncos, was described as his mentor and “one of the most remarkable ladies I’ve ever encountered.”
Reuters