Floyd Mayweather Jr. appears to be cooling on the idea of joining an NBA ownership group in Las Vegas, saying the demands that come with owning a franchise may not be worth it.
Mayweather, who has long been linked to big-money ventures in his hometown, said he once wanted to own an NBA team but has changed his thinking after watching what that role can do to people over time. With the league still exploring future expansion opportunities, Las Vegas remains one of the most talked-about cities for a possible franchise, making his comments notable even beyond boxing.
"I used to say that I wanted to own an NBA team, but it looks like being an owner in the NBA is a lot of stress. You see how a team owner invests himself in the NBA and looks happy. But over the years, he gets older. So I don’t know if it’s worth it," Mayweather said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Mayweather has never been shy about attaching himself to major sports-business conversations, especially in Las Vegas, where he became one of the defining stars of the city’s modern fight scene. But ownership in a major American league is a different level of commitment, financially and personally, and his latest remarks suggest he is no longer eager to take that on.
Mayweather retired with a perfect record of 50 wins in 50 professional fights, including 27 stoppages. Even years after stepping away from elite competition, his name still carries enough weight to draw attention whenever he comments on the business side of sports. For now, though, NBA ownership no longer seems to be part of the plan.