Famous media personality, MrBeast took the sports world by storm on Wednesday after announcing he purchased the National Football League (NFL).
But spoiler alert: it was a marketing joke.
The YouTuber, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, raised eyebrows after uploading a video on Sept. 3 titled, “I Bought The NFL.”
The video begins with Donaldson and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaking at a press conference.
“Today marks a historic first,” Goodell said in the clip. “The NFL is now under the ownership of one individual, Jimmy Donaldson, MrBeast.”
Donaldson then took to the podium and reiterated the announcement. “That is right, I officially own the NFL.”
“I think it’s time for some changes,” he said. “So, for my very first change, we are going to be changing the rosters from 53 players to 54, and giving that new roster spot to a YouTuber.”
The video then shows YouTuber and TikTok stars Hayley Baylee, iShowSpeed, Dude Perfect and Brooke Monk being drafted to NFL teams and attending a training camp.
By the end of the video, MrBeast shared that he didn’t buy the league and that it was actually a campaign to promote YouTube broadcasting the upcoming NFL game between the Los Angeles Charges and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 5.
“For the first time ever, Chargers vs. Chiefs will be free on YouTube,” he told viewers. “Make sure you watch it. It’s literally free, why not?”
Since Sept. 3, the video has received over 3 million views.
BBC reports that each of the NFL’s 32 teams are owned by an individual or a private ownership group, aside from the Green Bay Packers, which is a publicly owned, non-profit organization.
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