Vince McMahon to buy Newcastle United? WWE owner 'sniffing around' with view to incredible takeover bid

The billionaire owner has been linked with becoming the latest American owner to invest in the Premier League, with a partnership between the Magpies and WWE getting fans excited across the globe

Jack de Menezes
Tuesday 18 February 2014 05:23 EST
Comments
Vince McMahon has been reported to be considering a takeover bid for Premier League club Newcastle United
Vince McMahon has been reported to be considering a takeover bid for Premier League club Newcastle United (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

World Wrestling Entertainment owner Vince McMahon has been linked with a shock move to take full ownership of Premier League side Newcastle United in what would be one of the biggest shocks to world football ever seen.

McMahon is reported to be interested in purchasing the club from current owner Mike Ashley, and a bid could materialise in the not too distant future with the Londoner reportedly keen to sell the Magpies. But does that mean we’ll be seeing a Geordie edition of the showcase event Wrestlemania anytime soon? Well, yes. We very well could be.

British website www.winnersports.co.uk have claimed the billionaire has been “sniffing around” the club with a view to making a bid.

They claim a Newcastle insider said: “Vince McMahon has been sniffing around the club and seems keen on pursuing his interest.

“He sees England as an untapped market for his wrestling empire. He has even indicated he could put on wrestling bouts at St James’s Park

“Obviously it is very early days but there is hope the fans may get what they want with Ashley leaving. Buying a club like Newcastle would throw him into the spotlight in England which is just what he is looking to do.”

Could a possible takeover result in the WWE stars making their Toon debut, and vice-versa the St James’ Park regulars entering the squared circle? Highly unlikely, but we’re sure a number of people would pay to see the Ameobi brothers team up with Alan Pardew to take on the Shield, not to mention names such as John Cena, Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan strutting their stuff in the famous Black and White strip.

With WWE’s flagship show Wrestlemania quickly approaching on April 6, McMahon could look to coincide his takeover with the global event.

The potential ideas are endless, with a number of fans of both the club and WWE taking to social media to voice their favoured situations where both companies could cross. A Premier League Royal Rumble appears to be the firm favourite among fans (where the Ameobi brothers would obviously see their allegiance fall apart to start a feud the likes have never been seen) while a WWE All-Star XI is also a strongly-back idea to take on the best the English top-flight has to offer.

Of course, this is all speculation. But there’s no doubting that Mr McMahon (his famous stage name) could easily afford to purchase the club and rescue them from their recent slump into turmoil. His current worth according to Forbes if over £1bn, while Newcastle are valued by the same company at £168m.

One thing is for sure though. If the takeover happens, we want to see a returning Joe Kinnear v Ryback in next year’s Wrestlemania.

WWE have no official comment on the speculation at the time of writing.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in