Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton has joined the Walton-Penner ownership group as a limited partner as they approach the final hurdle in completing the purchase of the Denver Broncos.
“We’re delighted to welcome seven-time Formula One World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our ownership group,’’ Rob Walton said via a statement. “He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team and a fierce advocate for global equality, including in his own sport.”
Hamilton issued a statement of his own, accompanied by a photo of his dog Roscoe in Broncos gear.
The Walton-Penner group, consisting of Walmart heir Rob Walton, his daughter Carrie Walton Penner, her husband Greg Penner, and Ariel Investments co-CEO and Starbucks board chair Mellody Hobson, agreed in June to buy the Broncos for $4.65 billion. On Aug. 9, the NFL will hold an owners meeting to formally approve the transaction.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joined the group for an unspecified stake last month. Hobson and Rice would become the first two Black women to own a portion of an NFL team.
Hamilton previously joined a consortium of investors, which included Serena Williams, in their bid to buy Chelsea FC of the Premier League.
Hamilton has 103 grand prix wins, the most in Formula One history. He has won the world championship in 2008, 2014, 2015 and 2017 through 2020.
