A$AP Rocky’s proposed £15m takeover of EFL club with celebrity lawyer ‘is plunged into doubt’ after a key investor pulls out
- A$AP Rocky is part of an American group that wants to buy the League Two club
- The investor is said to have withdrawn due to issues with the EFL approval processes
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American rapper A$AP Rocky’s proposed £15 million takeover of Tranmere Rovers remains pending after a key investor who bankrolled the deal pulled out.
The 36-year-old, who is dating pop superstar Rihanna, is said to be part of an investment group led by famed lawyer Joe Tacopina.
Tacopina, a former personal lawyer of Donald Trump, has reportedly been handling the deal with League Two owners Mark and Nicola Palios for more than six months.
It is believed that the consortium led by Tacopina plans to buy a more than 80 percent stake in the club, worth £15 million, while Indonesian investors, Santini Group, will retain their minority stake and invest in Prenton Park to stay.
But the buyout could fall apart after one of the consortium’s main investors pulled out of the deal. The investor reportedly contributed 30 percent of the financing for the deal.
A$AP Rocky’s proposed takeover of Tranmere Rovers has run into trouble after an investor pulled out
Joe Tacopina (center), Donald Trump’s former lawyer, is leading the proposed takeover
It is believed the withdrawal is due to EFL requirements from potential owners. It is suggested that although this individual failed the test of the league’s owners and directors, he was ‘unwilling to provide the relevant information’ that the EFL demanded.
Tacopina now faces the task of securing new investments to save the deal. This may not be too difficult for the famous lawyer, given the size of his network and client list.
Current Tranmere owner and former FA CEO Mark Palios recently shed some light on the deal and whether rapper Rocky was involved.
“You will understand that I am under non-disclosure agreements not only with Joe Tacopina, who is related to A$AP Rocky, but also with other parties that are looking at the club,” Palios told Sky Sports.
“What I would say is that the US market is in flux right now for a whole host of reasons. They have the World Cup in prospect.’
“They have always viewed European sports assets as undervalued. And 85 million Americans watch English football, 45 million of whom are not committed to any club. You also have the Wrexham effect. So it’s an attractive proposition, and of course I think Tranmere is an attractive proposition.’
According to reports, a documentary in the style of the critically acclaimed ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ is also in the pipeline.
The Disney+ show follows the journey of Hollywood duo Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as they bought Wrexham from Wales and took them to League One.
Rocky is part of an investment group that is approaching an 80 percent stake worth £15 million
Tacopina is said to view Tranmere as underrated and as such, a similar celebrity endorsement to Wrexham could help transform the club.
“Joe believes Tranmere – a famous club near Liverpool – is undervalued and that through clever marketing and celebrity support he can transform the club,” the source said.
“With people like Rocky on board, maybe…”
Rap sensation Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, shares two children with Rihanna: RZA, who is two, and 15-month-old Riot Rose.