Former NBA trio Julius Erving, Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo and NFL legend Ray Lewis are set to follow the likes of Ryan Reynolds and JJ Watt in sports ownership.
Erving, Iverson, Mutombo and Lewis enjoyed remarkable careers in their respected sports, but are now out for success in something new - rugby union. According to The Times, the sporting stars have formed an American consortium in a bid to take over Premiership side London Irish.
The London-based side are the latest Premiership club whose future within the sport remains unknown, following the financial issues of Wasps and the Worcester Warriors.
As a result, the RFU have given The Exiles a deadline of May 30 to secure new ownership. Discussing the potential of Lewis and co. taking over, Premiership Rugby CEO Simon Massie-Taylor said: "If it [the London Irish takeover] comes off then clearly you’ve got a new breed of investor.
"They’re from across the pond and they’ve got interest in other sports so it is a positive news story.” Amid the uncertainty around the club, London Irish capped off their campaign last week with a 17-14 victory over Exeter chiefs on the final day of the season.
Director of rugby Declan Kidney remained optimistic post-match, commenting: "These lads have gone from Championship to 10th, to ninth, to eighth and now to fifth. We're planning for a rich future with the age of the lads out on the pitch, that is what we are building it on.
"There is a rich future for this club on the pitch and I'm sure the people off the pitch will do the business and see it through." Employees received their April pay one week late, with the club said to be £30 million in debt. Speaking last year owner Mick Crossan said he would sell the club for a pound if it was a possibility.
The consortium including Erving, Iverson, Mutombo and Lewis would be the latest American ownership within British sport. Most notably Hollywood stars Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have recently helped guide Wrexham into the football league, whilst NFL star Watt invested in recently promoted Burnley.
