Gareth Bale's massive new business empire as he warns Ryan Reynolds and Wrexham
Former Wales captain Gareth Bale has been mistaken for Christian Bale on more than one occasion.
Wales legend Gareth Bale spoke about the potential takeover of Cardiff City and what he would want to achieve with his hometown club.
(Image: Boardroom)
Gareth Bale has opened up on his post-football business empire, potential takeover of Cardiff City, ambition to take the club past Wrexham and being mistaken for Hollywood actor Christian Bale. The football legend appeared as a guest on Boardroom's YouTube channel, which features some of the biggest names in pop culture.
Real Madrid icon Bale was recently revealed as the latest addition to TNT Sports' Premier League and Champions League punditry team for the upcoming season, and replaces Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand. He has previously appeared as an occasional pundit but will now be a main fixture going forward.
Alongside his work in media, Bale is working hard to expand his business empire. The Welshman already owns Elevens Bar and Par 59 in Cardiff city centre, but is now aiming to take ownership of Cardiff City alongside a consortium of investors.
Bale was asked about his intention to buy hometown club Cardiff, and revealed exactly why he wants to do so.
"I suggested about my home team," answered Bale.
"It's one that's been on the decline for a few years now and has such massive potential, being a one city club. We are looking forward to the response, we would love to get ownership of it and take the club back to where we think it belongs."
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This interview with Bale was conducted several weeks ago before news broke at the beginning of August that Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman has dismissed the speculation around the club being sold imminently as "fiction".
He added that current owner Vincent Tan is not interested in selling the club right now.
Wales legend Bale was asked by Boardroom about the recent success of Ryan Reynolds at Wrexham, and what it's like for him to see them thriving.
"I think what they've done on the pitch, getting three promotions in a row is unheard of," answered Bale.
"It's all credit to what they're doing. They've done a great job. Being Welsh and seeing another Welsh team do well is good for Welsh football. Hopefully they continue to do well."
But he warned: "If we get Cardiff, hopefully we go past them!"
Touching again on Cardiff, Bale was asked what it would mean to take Cardiff back to the Premier League, where they have not played since the 2018/2019 season.
"It would mean everything," said Bale.
"It's something that is on my radar. I would love to do something to give the Cardiff fans. Being from Wales, being Welsh, being born there, I know how passionate the Cardiff City fans are about their club. It has been a disappointing few years for the club.
"A couple of relegations and the club feels really stagnant, so to bring some excitement back to push in the right direction, to give them something to look forward to would be the start.
"And then the dream for every team is obviously to get to the Premier League, it's a very tough task but something I would for sure love to do."
Being one of the best players on the planet in his prime, Bale was on a massive contract with Real Madrid, reportedly earning close to £600,000 per week.
Thanks to a fine career at the top level, Bale has been able to invest into business and offer his expertise as a pundit. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Bale is worth £107 million, while he has been a regular figure on the Sunday Times Rich List over the years.
It's also estimated that Bale received over £6 million per year purely in endorsements during his playing career. Thanks to his time at the elite level, Bale has been, and is currently, affiliated with Adidas, Lucozade and now golf-related brands. He reportedly earns £137,000 per sponsored Instagram post.
Speaking about his brand partnerships to Boardroom, Bale identified three that resonate well with him.
"I like to work with brands that align with me," began Bale.
"I've been with Adidas since I started my career. We've gone from the football side to golf, where I'm involved a little bit more. Just enjoying working with that brand, throughout my whole career they have been amazing with me.
"I do that with Heineken 0.0, because I don't drink. Promoting a 0.0 drink is something that fits in with me, aligns with me. Even the clothes I wear, I like to try and be involved with Hugo Boss. It's all just organic. When it is organic, it's able to naturally grow."
As well as trying to purchase Cardiff and media commitments, Bale revealed what other avenues of business he is involved in.
"We've invested in commercial and residential property, we've got some sports bars which are kind of fun things to do," he continued.
"So we have branched out in different areas, we have investments in other areas as well. Just trying to build those pillars… maybe if one pillar gets knocked down, they're still able to hold up the building. To try and diversify as much as we can."
When asked who would play him in a movie, the former Tottenham Hotspur winger said Christian Bale, and even revealed that he gets mistaken for the Hollywood actor on occasion.
"Christian Bale," he answered.
"It goes with the name, right? I have been mistaken for Christian Bale before."
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"Have they said: 'Batman! Batman!' or something?," asked the Boardroom interviewer. "No, they just shout Christian, so they've obviously got things a little bit muddled up," said Bale.
"Do you think people mistake him for Gareth?," asked the interviewer. "You're going to have to ask him, I don't know!," added Bale.
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