Mike Tyson cannabis farm buying Barcelona Camp Nou name rights latest as ranch CEO says it’ll ‘take balls’ to seal deal
CEO OF Mike Tyson's cannabis company Swissx, Alki David, has claimed that it'll "take balls" if they are to push through with their attempt to purchase the naming rights of Barcelona's Camp Nou.
The LaLiga champions are selling the naming rights to their iconic home for the 2020-21 season in order to fund "research projects and the worldwide fight against the coronavirus pandemic".
And Swissx became unlikely contenders last week, when David, 49, claimed that he and Tyson's company buying the rights would be "an amazing idea".
He told the BBC: "It's something we've specifically been looking for to adopt in our company and it seemed like an amazing idea.
"My company is a cannabis company and Spain has a long tradition within the European Union as being a leader or a liberal in the road towards legalisation, so it's evolved quite naturally."
, however, claim that Barcelona have received no contact from Swissx or any other interested party as of yet.
But David later told them that he had proof that this information isn't true.
He said: "I think Barca are just testing the waters to see how a cannabis health company will be received.
"It's natural that they're nervous, but my instinct tells me they'll be brave and push through. Progress, especially the kind that really helps people, always takes balls.
"In the meantime, it seems that someone is lying. But my legal team has evidence when the time comes to show it."
"FOR THE HIGHER GOOD"
Swissx, with a slogan of "For the Higher Good", were founded in 2016 by billionaire David and Tyson.
The company claim that they are "a powerful addition to your daily wellness routine."
Barcelona are said to be "open to offers from anyone", although they must be "serious companies or brands."
While the Catalan side are raising money for an undoubtedly good cause, not everybody at the club is happy with the decision.
Some of their furloughed staff, for example, believe that they should be aiming to secure their own finances before helping others.
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The biggest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 99,000, Camp Nou has never had a naming sponsor.
But that was set to change anyway in 2023, as Barcelona aim to fund redevelopments.
They are believed to want to raise £262million upfront as part of a 25-year deal.