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For now, Armstrong says right now there are no current plans to buy the Tour, according to his agent Bill Stapleton. But Armstrong has set his sights on the idea, talking with investors about a future deal. The family-run company that owns the Tour de France -- Éditions Philippe Amaury -- says the company is not for sale. The Journal says Armstrong feels the professional sport is in disarray and would benefit from an owner who would create an organization such as the National Football League or Major League Baseball to oversee professional cycling, including the Tour. What would it cost to acquire the privately held Tour de France? Well, it's hard to say, but three years ago The Wall Street Journal reported a price tag of $1.5 billion when Armstrong had gathered investors for a potential acquisition. But in today's economy, that price tag might be a tad lofty.
Should the Tour ever come up for sale, dealmakers and athletes of various stripes might covet it. Successful private equity dealmakers, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs such as Tom Hicks, Paul Allen, Mark Cuban and John Henry have often sought stakes in sports franchises. However, there is growing number of franchises on the block. The latest are MLB's Texas Rangers and the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars. In addition, sports leagues that were cash cows such as the NBA are feeling the pain of the economic slump. The NBA recently had layoffs, and league commissioner David Stearn has also publicly hinted that it may have to lower its salary cap to maintain the financial stability of its teams.
These are not encouraging signs for anyone selling a sports franchise even if you're a coveted trophy like the Tour de France. - Gerald Magpily See Wall Street Journal article
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Lance Armstrong's name has become synonymous with the Tour de France, as he won the race a record-breaking seven consecutive times starting in 1999. Now, the professional cyclist may embark on a new challenge that could pair him with investors to acquire a stake in the Tour de France, according to The Wall Street Journal.
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