Rory McIlroy says he was supplied an opportunity to turn out to be an investor in Leeds United by fellow golfers – however needed to flip it down as a fan of Manchester United.
However the Northern Irishman stated he would welcome the prospect to put money into the membership he helps.
McIlroy, 34, not too long ago joined the backers of F1 team Alpine.
“Sports stars have gotten extra savvy and actually making an attempt to make use of their cash in the proper manner,” he stated.
American golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas purchased into the group 49ers Enterprises which completed a £170m takeover of Leeds United in July.
“They requested me if I needed to return on board and I used to be like, as a Man Utd fan, cannot go anyplace close to that,” McIlroy stated.
He would, nevertheless, welcome an opportunity to get entangled at Old Trafford.
The Glazer household, who purchased Manchester United for £790m in 2005, introduced in November 2022 they had been contemplating promoting.
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani not too long ago withdrew from the method to purchase the membership, whereas the opposite essential bidder, British businessman Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group, is considered on the lookout for a 25% stake within the membership.
McIlroy stated he would have “liked to have taken a 0.0001% share” with the Glazers inviting funding and added: “If one other alternative comes could manner I’ll undoubtedly have a look at it.
“To be capable to personal even a tiny, tiny, tiny proportion of the membership you grew up cheering on could be very cool.”
For now, although, he’s excited in regards to the likelihood to get entangled in Formula 1 and spoke about becoming a member of the Alpine set-up at Circuit of the Americas in Texas forward of the US Grand Prix.
“It’s a fantastic alternative, I’ve all the time been a giant fan of F1,” he stated.
“There has been fairly a little bit of Northern Irish/Irish connection there with Eddie Jordan and Eddie Irvine again within the day. It’s all the time been one thing I adopted.
“And then when this chance got here up, I simply assume with the recognition of F1, how a lot it is booming within the US particularly – and I’ve invested in a couple of issues – however this has acquired extra of a narrative and a journey.
“It’s no shock they went to market and acquired some traders in however I believe it clearly stabilises the group and it offers them some confidence going ahead.
“F1 as a complete they do it so properly. Golf might study fairly a bit from F1 when it comes to a few of the set-up stuff and how they do issues.”
‘We’re all associates now’ – Rory on Ryder Cup row
McIlroy was additionally requested about his offended change with an American caddie earlier than Europe regained the Ryder Cup in Rome earlier this month.
McIlroy took exception to Patrick Cantlay’s caddie Joe LaCava celebrating a putt on the inexperienced as he lined up his personal shot.
Their row continued in a parking lot and McIlroy later stated the incident had fired up the European team on the way in which to victory the next day.
However any dangerous feeling is all prior to now, McIlroy stated.
“Things occur within the warmth of the second, tensions had been excessive. Joe LaCava got here into the European group room on the Sunday night time and had a drink and a chat.
“I’ve had a fantastic relationship with Joe through the years when he caddied for Tiger (Woods) and that wasn’t going to vary.
“For me, the incident occurred, I purposely did not wish to meet anybody on the Sunday morning as a result of I needed what had occurred to gas me for that day. My entire focus was let’s be sure that Europe win the Ryder Cup and then we’ll type all the opposite stuff out afterwards.
“And it is all superb. We’re all associates now.”