Golf superstar says he’d jump at the chance to invest into following ’s partial takeover of the club.
in team Alpine, alongside the likes of Anthony Joshua and .
The 34-year-old is currently in Austin, Texas to cheer his team on at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix.
And while there, he has revealed that he was given the opportunity to invest in Leeds United Football Club, but turned it down due to his loyalty to rivals Manchester United, who he has supported since childhood.
However, McIlroy has admitted he would be interesting in buying into the Red Devils, inspired partially by .
‘Sports team ownership used to be limited to private equity, and people who had a ton of money,’ the four-time major winner said.
‘But now sports stars are becoming more savvy and using their money in the right way. I would love to be able to own a tiny percentage of the club I grew up cheering on as a boy.
‘I would have loved to have taken 0.00001% of Manchester United when Jim Ratcliffe took 25%. And if another opportunity comes my way I will look at it. But it is not something that has come across our table as of yet.
‘There is Tom Brady at Birmingham and there are a few golfers – Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas – who invested with the 49ers Group, and they own a tiny slice of Leeds. They asked me if I wanted to come on board, and I said as a Man United fan I cannot go anywhere near that!
‘Sir Jim has got a great track record and everybody that does support United should be excited by the possibilities if they give him full sporting authority and decisions for the club. As a fan I am excited.’
For now, McIlroy will be keeping his eye on Alpine who have endured a difficult season, currently sixth in the standings and far, far off the the frontrunning teams.
They’re looking alright in Austin though, with Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon set to start Sunday’s race from P7 and P8 on the grid.
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