Money

Rory McILroy joins NFL stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as investors in Alpine Formula One racing team

October 20, 2023
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Andrew Redington

If Rory McIlroy can’t address slow play on the course, he’ll be able to get some satisfaction with his latest investment. McIlroy is one of a star-studded set of new investors in the Alpine Formula One team, joining athletes and pop star boyfriends like NFL players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce and champion boxer Anthony Joshua in Otro Capital’s group.

Alpine started in 2021 as auto brand Renault’s representative in F1 racing and has earned one win during its three seasons. McIlroy and company are joining seasoned “outsider” investors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as part of the ownership group, no doubt hoping to replicate some of the cachet and off-field success the actors have found documenting their investment in lower-tier Welsh soccer team Wrexham. Wrexham’s value has tripled since Reynolds and McElhenny bought it in 2020—and there’s certainly room for even a lowly F1 team to grow exponentially. The Alpine investment pegs its value at about $900 million, compared to the more than $3 billion teams like Ferrari and Mercedes are valued. Drive for dough indeed.