October 22 – Tranmere Rovers co-owner Mark Palios has hinted that a deal to sell the League Two club could be imminent, expressing his desire for it to be completed ‘ASAP’.
The 36-year-old boyfriend of pop star Rihanna, A$AP Rocky was reported as part of an investment group, led by US celebrity lawyer Joe Tacopina, interested in purchasing an 80% stake in the League 2 club.
Palios, who acquired the club in 2014 with his wife Nicola, did not confirm the rapper’s involvement during an interview with Sky Sports but implied talks are progressing swiftly.
Asked if there was a timeframe in which a possible deal needed to be completed, a smiling Palios said: “ASAP.”
He also said: “It’s been no secret over the past two years that we’ve been trying to attract investment into the club, although we’re not formally for sale.
“That’s been part of the strategy we’ve adopted as we guide the club onto the next stage.
“While I’m not confirming that A$AP Rocky is part of a consortium one way or the other, there are a number of people out there.”
Tranmere would mark the latest in a trend of North American celebrities investing in English football clubs. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s ownership of Wrexham has gained the most attention, not only boosting the club’s reputation via TV documentaries and news traction but also providing an on-pitch leg-up, as the team achieved back-to-back promotions into league one, with a great chance to jump up to the Championship as they currently place second.
NFL icon Tom Brady is a minority owner of Birmingham City and JJ Watt joined Burnley as a shareholder, both in 2023.
Further up the English pyramid, actor Michael B. Jordan also invested in Premier League Bournemouth while Leeds United have attracted investors including golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, NBA star Russell Westbrook, and actor Will Ferrell.
Joe Tacopina, a 58-year-old lawyer known for representing Donald Trump, has had extensive involvement in Italian football. He was part of the American consortium that acquired AS Roma in 2011, later took over Bologna in 2014, and then purchased Venezia in 2015. Currently, he serves as president and owner of Serie C side S.P.A.L.
Tacopina is representing A$AP Rocky in an upcoming trial involving firearm-related charges.
Palios continued: “At the moment, if you’re looking at that particular group of people, the US market is very attractive.
“You’ve got the example of Wrexham recently, you’ve got the World Cup coming up there, you’ve got 85 million Americans watch English football.
“There’s actually a gap in the market which just happens to coincide with where we are in terms of development and taking it to the next stage.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735001058labto1735001058ofdlr1735001058owedi1735001058sni@g1735001058niwe.1735001058yrrah1735001058