Winner Sports can exclusively reveal wrestling promoter Vince McMahon has expressed an initial interest in buying the crisis club from Mike Ashley.
No official bids have yet been made and tentative talks are at a very early stage. But McMahon wants to expend his empire and is keen to buy a Premier League club.
He was recently valued at $1.1billion and is well known in the States as a wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator and occasional professional wrestler He is also an actor and film producer. Yet he wants to expand his sporting interests and is a fan of English football.
He is the chairman and chief executive of Connecut-based World Wrestling Entertainment. For a long period he was the only remaining major American professional promoter which is where he has earned much of his money.
He is also a two time world wrestling champion having won the WWF and ECW World championships.
Ashley may have found a buyer for Newcastle
McMahon is a larger than life character and is known by the ring name Mr McMahon based on his real life persona.
Ashley wants to sell Newcastle and has been in talks with several American companies. Yet McMahon’s interest looks like it could go further than the initial talks.
A top Newcastle source told Winner Sports: “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.”
