Two-time IndyCar Series champion Panther Racing announced that former heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman and his sons will become the team’s newest co-owners.
Foreman, a 1968 Olympic gold medalist and an ordained minister, is making his return to professional sports since he retired from boxing in 1997.
“This is a very special day for Panther Racing, ” team co-owner John Barnes said. “To add a true professional and sports legend like George Foreman to our ownership group is a tremendous boost to our team. George brings with him experience from decades in professional sports and the business savvy to help our team’s sponsorship efforts. His passion for cultivating successful business opportunities is as strong as his career in the boxing ring. The Panther Racing franchise just got a lot stronger. ”
George Foreman Jr. and brother George III serve as vice presidents of George Foreman Enterprises, the marketing company founded by their father. They also founded their own investment company, JR3, which has strategic investments in a diverse portfolio of industries including real estate, apparel, exercise equipment, sporting goods, financial services, entertainment, and music.
“I’ve been blessed throughout my life to partner with winning organizations, ” the eldest Foreman said. “Now that I am part of Panther Racing, I am looking forward to being part of a winning team. Much like the Foreman name, Panther Racing is an institution in sports and I’m proud to be a partner in their world-class Indy team.
“From our first meeting, I’ve been impressed with John Barnes and the entire Panther Racing organization. This is a very hard-working team that we admire. ”
Panther Racing is preparing for the 91st Running of the Indianapolis 500, where it will feature drivers Vitor Meira, Kosuke Matsuura and John Andretti.
“All I could say was ‘Wow’ when John (Barnes) told me who our newest team owner was, ” Meira said. “There are many common threads between Panther and George Foreman. Both of us our champions, both of us are committed to working hard in sports and in business, and now we are going to accomplish great things together. ”
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