One can buy a key to a city, earn a key to a city or do a little bit of both.
Yngvar Borgesen, winner of Norway’s record lottery jackpot, is putting some of his newfound cash into soccer’s transfer market — as a form of community service.
Borgesen spent £282,000 ($429,000) of his £11.5 million ($17.5 million) prize to buy 25 percent of the rights to Fredrik Semb Berge, according to Reuters. Borgesen bought a share of Berge’s sporting rights to help his favorite team, cash-strapped Norwegian club Odd Grenland, hold onto one of its brightest prospects.
“I sat and thought about what I could do locally, and the answer was Odd,” Borgesen reportedly told newspaper Verdens Gang. “They have a good profile and mean a lot for the local community.”
Should Odd Grenland sell the young defender, Borgesen will receive 25 percent of the transfer fee. Berge, 23, has played for Norway’s national team from the U-15 to senior levels. He thinks Borgesen’s investment will help the club ease its immediate cash flow issues.
“He’s a very nice guy who thought it was good to help, so I think this is positive,” Berge said. “It means that Odd can get more money for me and that they don’t have to sell me at any price.”
Lottery winners are used to fielding requests from those looking for help. Borgesen shows how one lucky person can meet the needs of everyone and no one at the same time.
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Photo via Facebook/Odds Ballklubb
