In February of 2008, billionaire real estate developer Stephen M. Ross bought a 50 percent stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins franchise for $550 million. In the two years since, he has purchased the remaining shares and brought Venus and Serena Williams, Jimmy Buffett, musicians Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Marc Anthony into the fold by selling them small shares of the team. Cash Money Records co-founder Brian “Birdman” Williams wants to add his name to the list.
“It’s in the works,” Williams told Shade 45’s Angela Yee during a recent interview. “You have to get a clearance from the NFL…we’re waiting on the clearance. Once we get cleared, we good. You got Venus [Williams] and all them other people involved. We wanted to be part owners in the Dolphins.”
Forbes magazine estimates the Dolphins are worth $765 million. Williams also expressed an interest in becoming a minority owner in professional basketball or baseball, saying that sports ownership would be “the next step” for Cash Money. Birdman also looked back on artists he had the chance to sign earlier in their careers.
“I had a chance for Keyshia Cole, I had a chance for Jeezy and T.I.,” Williams added. “T.I. used to be in the studio with us writing everyday. I used to let him come in the studio and just chill with us when we used to go out to Atlanta and record. At that time we were just young and focusing on us, but they made great careers.”
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UPDATE:The Miami Herald has reported that Birdman’s statement about owning a piece of the Dolphins was news to owner Stephen Ross. “I have NEVER spoken to him or any representative,” Ross said in a statement, adding that the ownership group was “not considering or looking for any celebrity limited partners.”
(October)
UPDATE #2: Birdman has re-framed comments he made earlier this week that confused Miami Doplins owner Stephen Ross. “I just hope one day that we can find ourselves to be a part owner of a team. I don’t think it should be outta’ [the question],” Birdman told Shade 45’s Angela Yee. The executive and rapper added that he had interest in owning teams in all four major U.S. sports.
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The Big Tymers member also says he has the money to match his mouth, saying, “We’re financially able to do so.”
