Retired boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr., known for his lavish spending and “Money” persona, recently boasted about a $402 million purchase of 62 Manhattan apartment buildings via his firm, Vada Properties. However, property records and stakeholders suggest the deal may not be as definitive as claimed.
Mayweather, who amassed over $1 billion during his career, has pivoted to business ventures, including real estate. In a February Instagram video, he asserted full ownership of the Upper Manhattan portfolio, emphasizing “no partners” and lucrative retail spaces. Yet, NYC property records show no transfers of ownership, which experts note are typically updated swiftly post-sale.
The NYC Housing Partnership, a nonprofit tied to most buildings for tax breaks and affordability mandates, stated it was unaware of any pending sale, adding that such a transaction would require their involvement. Meanwhile, an anonymous source familiar with the deal clarified Mayweather acquired only a minority stake, with options to expand ownership later—a far cry from his outright purchase claim.
Black Spruce Management, majority owner of the portfolio, praised Mayweather as a “reliable partner” but avoided confirming the sale. Meyer Orbach’s Orbach Group, which owns remaining buildings, did not respond to inquiries.
When pressed, Vada Properties’ CEO connected a caller to a man identifying as James McNair, a Mayweather associate. However, the voice differed from known McNair recordings. The individual insisted Mayweather owned the portfolio, citing his childhood ties to affordable housing as motivation, but refused to disclose transaction details.
While Mayweather’s team and lawyers remained silent, the discrepancies highlight potential exaggeration in his business claims. Despite the uncertainty, the boxer’s narrative of blending profit with community impact persists, leaving questions about the deal’s true scope unresolved.
