Snoop Lion’s metamorphosis from west coast rap all-star to global entertainment magnate will be aided and abetted by the beautiful game.
The rap star and avid soccer fan wants to invest in Scottish soccer club Celtic FC and have David Beckham accompany him from Los Angeles to Glasgow, according to the Daily Record.
“I got a lot of interest in soccer,” Snoop said. “It’s not a new thing for hip-hop stars to invest in sports teams, but it is a new thing for hip-hop stars to invest in soccer teams.
“I see how passionate Celtic fans are about their team and I could see myself making an investment if any of the board wanted to sell. I haven’t really thought how much. I don’t need to run a soccer club but enough of a percentage to get me on the board so I can be heard.
“I want to bring a bit of Snoop to things. I am passionate about my sport. The boxes at Celtic would never be the same once I have hosted a party there.”
Founded in 1887, Celtic is one of Britain’s largest and most famous soccer clubs. It boasts 43 Scottish league titles, including the 2011-Scottish Premier League (SPL) 12 championship. Its estimated nine million fans around the world are enjoying another fine season in 2012-13, in which the club sits atop the SPL standings after 13 games. It is also on the verge of reaching the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2008.
Snoop has reportedly been a Celtic fan since 2005 when he was pictured with the famous green and white jersey. The Long Beach, Calif. native was previously banned from travelling to the U.K. because of his criminal record, but he is now free to live, work and do business in Scotland, should he choose to do so.
“I love Scotland,” he said. “I am so happy my UK ban is up. ”
The 41-year-old also hopes to convince Beckham to join him on the Scottish adventure. The L.A. Galaxy star is reportedly considering leaving Southern California at the end of the 2012 season, but has yet to make an official announcement. Snoop hopes Beckham would consider a loan spell (or maybe more) at Parkhead.
“I would try and sign him up for a season but he is pretty happy over here,” Snoop said. “LA is home for him and his family now — but I would have to at least make that offer to my boy. We have lunch when we can, so next time, you know, I am going to speak to him about it. Never say never.”
Snoop, who has sold over 30 million albums in his illustrious musical career, learned to love the game while on the road. He is familiar with the biggest clubs and star players, whom he expertly controls while playing EA Sports’ video game “FIFA 13.” While his video game skills haven’t translated into on-field prowess, Snoop could bring something else to the Scottish giant: hip-hop sensibilities that could help the 125-year-old club connect to young fans around the world in new and interesting ways.
Have a question for Marcus Kwesi O’Mard? Send it to him via Twitter at @NESNsoccer, NESN Soccer’s Facebook page or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
Photo via Twitter/@footbaLLove
