Who is Robert Smith? Denver Broncos have a new potential buyer

The Denver Broncos are in for a new owner. Robert Smith is reportedly back in contention after it was previously reported that he had no interest in purchasing the team. He will not be the only candidate for the job, though, as there is reported interest from other parties such as Robson Walton, Walmart heir, and former players Peyton Manning and John Elway. But Robert Smith does bring his own intrigue to the Denver Broncos, should he decide to do so, and we look at the man a bit more in detail below.

Who is Robert Smith?

Robert Frederick Smith is a businessman who is the founder of Vista Equity Partners, which deals with private equity, venture capital and enterprise software. He began the company in 2000 after having previously worked for brands like Goodyear, Kraft and Goldman Sachs. He is an alumnus of Cornell and Columbia Universities.

But to delve into his potential interest with the Denver Broncos, we must delve in even further.

Robert Smith was born and raised in Denver. So, it's no surprise that he might want to own the franchise that is currently located in the same place where he spent his childhood.

Were he to be successful in this endeavor, he would become the first black owner in the NFL where a significant majority of the players are black. He is already the richest black man in the USA, estimated at around $9 billion, and his involvement will also reduce the pressure on the NFL regarding diversity.

But what might jeopardize his chances is the fact that he had to pay $139 million in taxes in an evasion case in 2020. But even if that were the case, it would not have much material impact since the NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, has not raised any red flags so far.

Another reason why people are now considering Robert Smith as one of the frontrunners is because his wife, Hope Dworaczyk, also posted on social media during the Super Bowl that she would like to own a team and kept her husband in the photographs, too.

There is still some time to go before we know the identity of the new Denver Broncos owner. But the process has begun in earnest. If indeed Robert Smith is serious, he should be firm in his interest now. Because the race to own an iconic franchise like the Denver Broncos does not lack for suitors.