\n<\/p>\n
A future that, he says, has always intrigued him – perhaps not dissimilar to David Beckham. <\/p>\n
Like Bale, the English icon was his nation’s footballing figurehead and could have had his pick of post playing jobs, before ending up a co-owner of MLS franchise Inter Miami as part of various business interests.<\/p>\n
Was that route an influence?<\/p>\n
“I think so, a lot of American athletes do that type of thing and I would read about it and listen to interviews about what they’ve done,” says Bale, whose old Real Madrid teammate Luka Modric has become a minority investor in Swansea City.<\/p>\n
“A lot of players still go down the coaching route, management or even with younger players at academies.<\/p>\n
“But you are seeing more players being a bit more business minded. Maybe because we’ve done so much on one side, this side becomes a new chapter, a new world.<\/p>\n
“It always really interested me, but I didn’t really have the opportunity before being introduced to John.”<\/p>\n
The John who could help Bale build it like Beckham is experienced US investor John Shulman, founder of private equity firm Juggernaut Capital.<\/p>\n
The company is said to have $1bn in capital commitments and had already been investing in various sport businesses \u2013 from golf courses and volleyball to “thrill” sports – but sensed an opportunity, especially when it came to Europe and the UK.<\/p>\n
Shulman says he wanted to bring on board “an elite, iconic athlete” to help launch a sports specific investment platform \u2013 Juggernaut Diversified Sports – ready to invest more than \u00a3500m.<\/p>\n
And after an introduction \u2013 and, naturally, a round of golf \u2013 found one.<\/p>\n
“There is only a small number of human beings on the planet who have done what Gareth has done,” Shulman says.<\/p>\n
“We’re good investors, but what we lacked is the mindset, experience, drive and unique perch Gareth does.<\/p>\n
“I mean, the guy has got it all. What he can do on the pitch, I’ve seen him do in the boardroom metaphorically. So I have nothing but excitement about [our plans], doing it at the right time and the right place and the right way.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n