Nelly used proceeds from his $50 million catalog sale to launch the St. Louis Nellies, a horse racing group debuting on the Nelly Cup in July 2025.

Nelly turned a $50 million payday from promoting half his music catalog into a brand new enterprise by buying and relocating a horse racing group to his hometown.

The Hip-Hop icon, born in St. Louis, acquired the Seattle franchise of the National Thoroughbred League and moved it to Illinois, rebranding the group because the St. Louis Nellies.

The group will make its official debut on the inaugural Nelly Cup on July 19, 2025, at Fairmount Park in Collinsville, Illinois.

“I’m excited to be part of bringing a new professional sports team to the city that means so much to me,” mentioned Nelly. “The St. Louis Cup is set to be one of the summer’s premier events, and I can’t wait to hit the track and celebrate with our incredible St. Louis fans.”

The occasion will mix sport and leisure, that includes stay music, a trend present and a trophy presentation by Nelly himself. Admission is free and open to the general public.

The transfer comes after Nelly offered 50 % of his music catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners for a reported $50 million.

The deal contains a few of his most recognizable hits, reminiscent of “Hot in Herre,” “E.I.” and others. The catalog spans eight albums from his decades-long profession.

By investing within the National Thoroughbred League, Nelly joins a rising record of celebrities getting into the sports activities possession area.

The league goals to modernize horse racing by combining competitors with leisure, and Nelly’s involvement brings each star energy and hometown pleasure.

Fairmount Park, situated simply throughout the Mississippi River in Collinsville, has hosted horse racing for many years and now turns into house to one of many NTL’s latest franchises.

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