Former UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta looking to buy an NFL team

Although Lorenzo Fertitta may be out of the MMA business, it appears he wants to get back into the sports ownership business.

The former UFC owner sold his share of the world’s leading MMA promotion along with his brother Frank to WME-IMG for $4 billion back in 2016. He has been quiet for the last couple of years, but now he wants to reach his dream of buying an NFL team.

“[I’ve] always wanted to do that,” Fertitta told TMZ.com of owning an NFL team.

The problem for Lorenzo Fertitta right now is that there are no opportunities out there to purchase an NFL team. He had interest in purchasing the Carolina Panthers in 2018, but was ultimately outbid by David Tepper. However, Fertitta is not letting that past failure get in his way of any future success in the NFL business.

At this point, though, it’s a waiting game for Fertitta.

“Right now, there’s no opportunities (to own an NFL team),” Fertitta said.

The former UFC owner also told TMZ that he would be open to owning any team. The Oakland Raiders are actually headed to Fertitta’s stomping grounds in Las Vegas in the next few years, but their owner Mark Davis isn’t likely to sell that franchise anytime soon. Still, if there are any opportunities that do come up, Fertitta is open to them.

“I love football so much it doesn’t matter. I’d do anywhere,” Fertitta said of where he would like to own a team.

Also in the interview, Lorenzo Fertitta told TMZ that he misses owning the UFC a bit. Considering some of the changes the sport has went through the last few years, it’s fair to say that many fans miss having Fertitta around as the owner as well. But if he gets his way, it won’t be long until Fertitta gets back into the sports ownership game.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 6/10/2019.