Floyd Mayweather Seeks NBA Team Ownership, Plans to 'Step Back' from Betting

Floyd Mayweather Jr. wants to step back from sports betting to pursue a dream of owning an NBA franchise. The decorated boxing legend has again stated his desire to earn ownership of a basketball team, although he didn't declare which franchise he covets.

Mayweather made the claims while speaking at a pre-bout press conference for his fighter, Ashley Theophane, reported David P. Greisman of BoxingScene.com.

Cliff Owen/Associated Press

First, he declared his intention to at least take a break from sports betting: "You guys know I like to bet on sports, but I'm looking forward to stepping back from betting in sports right now."

Mayweather also stated his new focus will be on events in the NBA: "I'm looking forward to probably getting into ownership of an NBA team."

However, Mayweather wasn't so clear about which franchise is on his radar: "I don't really know right now."

As Greisman noted, this is nothing new for Mayweather. He recounted the retired fighter's interest in a prospective bid to take control of the Los Angeles Clippers back in 2014, a development reported by ESPN.com's Dan Rafael at the time.

Rafael had described how Mayweather's infractions and legal issues away from the ring might count against him in any takeover bid and in getting the approval of other owners.

Rafael also specifically identified Mayweather's "affinity for gambling" as a potential issue.

Indeed, his lavish bets are the stuff of legend. Back in May 2015, Mayweather tweeted how he'd made close to a $500,000 profit from an initial bet totalling over a quarter of a million while on a betting binge that reportedly lasted four days, per CBSSports.com's Brad Botkin:

It seems Mayweather is intent on making clear that particular issue needn't be a concern in any bid for ownership this time.