American rapper Jay-Z is reportedly looking to buy a controlling interest in the Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur. Originally named Shawn Corey Carter, Jay-Z is one of the most popular rappers of all time. He is also one of the richest rappers of all time, with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion. He is married to American singer Beyonce since 2008.
Since 2001, Tottenham Hotspur has been owned by ENIC International Ltd. ENIC is a British investment company which is owned by Joe Lewis. Lewis, and his partner at ENIC, Daniel Levy, are in charge of Tottenham. However, Lewis has been recently indicted with 16 counts of insider share dealing and conspiracy. Although Lewis has reportedly denied the accusations, he will spend the rest of his life in jail if found guilty.
🚨Tottenham Hotspur owner, Joe Lewis, faces US insider trading charges.
Federal prosecutors said in an indictment in New York that the 86-year-old passed on inside information from companies in which he was an investor to friends, including his personal pilots and assistants.… pic.twitter.com/nHpaLxpH94
— The Spurs Watch (@TheSpursWatch) July 25, 2023
Following Joe Lewis’ indictment, Jay-Z is looking to bid for Tottenham along with a group of American investors. According to reports, an associate close to the rapper has revealed that “Jay would jump at the chance of a controlling interest at board level somewhere with the global reach of Spurs.”
Although the news about Jay-Z’s interest in Tottenham has been received by the fans with mixed responses. While some fans have welcomed the idea of the 53-year-old rapper owning the club, others remain critical of it. One fan reacted to the news by writing, “What a way to get your 100th problem.”
Here are some Twitter reactions:
he’s gonna have 100 problems if he buys them
— Connor (@connFUT) July 30, 2023
Yes Tottenham is big, they won the Audi cup.
— RAO (@pranavjrao) July 30, 2023
Power couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé guide Tottenham to Champions League glory in 2025 🚀
— Mitch Fretton (@mitch_fretton) July 30, 2023
He ain’t have that kinda money
— Robert Torres (@robert05torres) July 30, 2023
What a way to get your 100th problem. https://t.co/HLRqbDtxIU
— Rhys James (@rhysjamesy) July 30, 2023
While there’s still no update about what will happen to Joe Lewis, the Premier League has confirmed that all ties have been severed between Lewis and Tottenham. Currently, the asking price for Tottenham has been reportedly set at $2.8 billion.
Jay-Z set to switch allegiance as he eyes Tottenham Hotspur ownership
The news about Jay-Z wanting to buy a controlling interest in Tottenham Hotspur will not go down well with Arsenal fans. Tottenham and Arsenal, the two biggest soccer clubs in North London, share a fierce rivalry. Thus, the thought of Jay-Z, an Arsenal fan, potentially becoming the new owner of Tottenham, will come as a betrayal to the Gunners fans.
Jay-Z admitted back in 2010 that he was a childhood supporter of Arsenal. He said, “It was about five years ago now. When Thierry Henry was at the club I saw him play and I just thought he was an amazing player. Ever since then, I have been a big fan of the club, following you guys, and still today you play the beautiful football that Thierry did. I think he had a real long term effect on the team.”
Back then, Jay-Z had also attempted to buy a stake in Arsenal. He had said, “I don’t know a lot about the business of soccer, but in the future if the right opportunity presented itself, then who knows?” While such an opportunity didn’t present itself back then, Arsenal did sign a deal with the music streaming service, Tidal, which is owned by Jay-Z, back in 2018 for an undisclosed figure.