The Walton family won the bid to buy it Denver Broncos This is the most expensive deal for a sports franchise anywhere in the world.
The Broncos announced late Tuesday that it has entered into a sale agreement with a Walton-Penner proprietary group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton, their daughter Carrie Walton Penner and her husband Greg Penner.
The terms of the sale were not disclosed, but Cusa-TV in Denver said it was worth $ 4.65 billion.
The US-led consortium, led by Todd Bohley, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of European football’s blue ribbon teams, is valued at more than $ 3.1 billion in Chelsea sales last month.
Bohli was one of five finalists invited to bid for the Broncos by Monday’s deadline.
The Walmart-Penner Group agreement must be approved by the NFL to purchase the franchise from the Pat Bolan Trust, but it is considered a formality.
“While this purchase and sale agreement is awaiting approval from the NFL’s finance committee and the league’s ownership, today is an important step towards an exciting new chapter in the history of the Broncos,” said Joe Ellis, the team’s president and chief executive officer. Is. “
“I was glad to get to know Rob Walton, Carrie Walton Penner and Greg Penner throughout the process,” Ellis said. “As I learn more about his background and vision for the Denver Broncos, I am confident that his leadership and support will help the team achieve great things on and off the field.”
Rob Walton said in a statement, “We are delighted to have chosen to continue with the purchase of the Denver Broncos! Carrie, Greg, and I are inspired by the opportunity to run this great organization in a vibrant community full of opportunity and enthusiastic fans. ,
“Because of living and working in Colorado, we’ve always admired the Broncos. Over the past few months, we’ve been excited to learn more about the team, the staff, and the Broncos country,” Walton said.
Melody Hobson, co-CEO of Aerial Investments and president of Starbucks, has agreed to join the ownership group, Walton said.
Hobson is black. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has claimed ownership of minorities in the league.
Walton said, “Melody is currently the Chairman of the Board of Starbucks Corporation and also the Director of JPMorgan Chase. We know he will bring his strategic acumen and leadership to our team. “
“We look forward to taking the next step in this process and gaining the trust and support of the NFL. When the necessary approval process begins, our family is eager to share more with the Broncos fans, organizations and the community. “
First-year coach Nathaniel Hackett asked during an off-season workout on Monday if he was in the sales process.
“My job is to build teams and teach systems and bring them together as a team and make them better at football,” Hackett said. “I know this is a big, big thing. But for us, the ownership of the team is to win no matter who owns it, so I’m excited.”
Following the first round of bidding, the five finalists were invited to tour the team’s facilities and delve deeper into the franchise’s finances. Hackett said he met most of the billionaire bidders.
“After talking to everyone, I think they all have an amazing passion and they want to be part of this league, and they want to be part of a team – and I think that’s something that’s really beautiful,” Hackett said.
“They want to come here to win and they want to do something good here. And so wherever it is, I think we’re very grateful. “
The Pat Bolen Trust has been running the franchise for several years, and Hall of Famer Pat Bolen’s children put the club up for sale last year after they refused to accept their father’s succession.
Bolan died in 2019, a month after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Reported by the Associated Press.
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