{"id":2600801,"date":"2026-05-09T14:24:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T18:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/crowdfunding-campaign-to-buy-spirit-airlines-takes-off-to-the-tune-of-337m\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T14:27:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T18:27:00","slug":"crowdfunding-campaign-to-buy-spirit-airlines-takes-off-to-the-tune-of-337m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/crowdfunding-campaign-to-buy-spirit-airlines-takes-off-to-the-tune-of-337m\/","title":{"rendered":"Crowdfunding campaign to buy Spirit Airlines takes off to the tune of $337M"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcrowdfunding-campaign-to-buy-spirit-airlines-takes-off-to-the-tune-of-337m%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2600801&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An enterprising TikToker and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/sick-of-communist-like-censorship-heres-a-list-of-popular-uncensored-media-options\/\" title=\"Sick Of Communist-Like Censorship? Here\u2019s A List Of Popular Uncensored Media Options\">content creator<\/a>, Hunter Peterson, has launched a crowdfunding effort to buy the recently shut-down Spirit Airlines, raising more than $337 million in pledges. The campaign began right after Spirit ended operations and is modeled around the \u201cGreen Bay Model,\u201d where supporters who contribute at least $45 (the average one-way ticket price) could gain ownership stakes in a revived \u201cSpirit Airlines 2.0.\u201d Peterson says experts have told him the plan is feasible, and he has claimed support from entities including a legal fund and Spirit\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-8000-delta-air-lines-employees-contracted-coronavirus-in-4-weeks\/\" title=\"Report: 8,000 Delta Air Lines Employees Contracted Coronavirus in 4 Weeks\">flight attendant union<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The idea faces major urgency as Spirit\u2019s assets are expected to be auctioned soon, and Peterson has acknowledged possible legal complications. Spirit had been in financial distress,filing for bankruptcy twice and failing to recover from a court-blocked merger with JetBlue in 2024. the article also notes the fallout from Spirit\u2019s closure, with roughly 17,000 employees losing their jobs and federal and union-related efforts following mass layoffs.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>An ambitious content creator seeking to buy the now-defunct <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/spirit-airlines\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11214\">Spirit Airlines<\/a> with a crowdfunding campaign has generated over $337 million in pledged funds so far.<\/p>\n<p>Hunter Peterson, known for flying the budget carrier \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kmByqP0Lai0\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kmByqP0Lai0\">24 hours straight<\/a>\u201d last year, started the grassroots campaign on the same day that Spirit <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4552435\/spirit-airline-shut-down-all-flights-canceled\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4552435\/spirit-airline-shut-down-all-flights-canceled\/\">shut down<\/a> last weekend. He said he hoped people would rally behind his long-shot idea.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4560820\/abc-fcc-equal-airtime-talarico-the-view\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>ABC takes FCC to task over equal airtime dispute involving The View<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/travel\/4559568\/airline-challenges-iran-fuel-costs-spirit\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>The various challenges facing the airline industry that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/various-challenges-facing-the-airline-industry-that-make-flying-worse\/\" title=\"Various ... the ... that make ... worse\">make flying worse<\/a> for travelers<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4557469\/dot-airlines-paid-more-fuel-iran-war\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>DOT says airlines paid 56% more for fuel in March than before Iran war<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>The concept would allow people who pledge at least $45, the average price of a one-way Spirit ticket, to own Spirit Airlines 2.0. Peterson calls it the \u201cGreen Bay Model\u201d on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/letsbuyspiritair.com\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/letsbuyspiritair.com\/\">his website<\/a>. The viral 32-year-old TikToker took inspiration from the Green Bay Packers football team, the only publicly owned franchise in the NFL.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Peterson has been documenting progress on the idea to his social media followers in the week since Spirit collapsed. In one video, he said a law firm that specializes in aviation mergers and acquisitions told him the plan was \u201cdoable.\u201d He also spoke with someone who represents investors who could back his vision through a legal fund.<\/p>\n<p>The plan is facing a time crunch, though. Spirit\u2019s assets are being auctioned off soon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI can\u2019t take any money from anyone, but I can take on angel investment from high-net-worth individuals,\u201d Peterson said, urging billionaire Mark Cuban to DM him.<\/p>\n<p>Each announcement video he posts plays the 1969 song \u201cSpirit in the Sky\u201d in the background.<\/p>\n<p>Spirit had been struggling financially for some time, as demonstrated by its two Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings within a year. The low-cost airline was unable to recover from its court-blocked merger with JetBlue Airways in 2024. Frontier Airlines <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4557179\/frontier-spirit-barry-biffle-merge\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4557179\/frontier-spirit-barry-biffle-merge\/\">expressed interest<\/a> in buying Spirit in 2022, but at the time, JetBlue overtook the competing bid. Now, Spirit no longer exists.<\/p>\n<p>It remains to be seen if Peterson\u2019s idea gains enough traction to surmount potential legal troubles. In a Friday update, he said a legal fund had been set up.<\/p>\n<p>Earlier in the week, the Los Angeles-based content creator announced he had received support from Spirit\u2019s 5,500-member flight attendant union.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/travel\/4559568\/airline-challenges-iran-fuel-costs-spirit\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/travel\/4559568\/airline-challenges-iran-fuel-costs-spirit\/\">THE VARIOUS CHALLENGES FACING THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY THAT MAKE FLYING WORSE FOR TRAVELERS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Association of Flight Attendants, which represents over 55,000 flight attendants across 20 airlines, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/afacwa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Support-for-Spirit-Workers.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/afacwa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Support-for-Spirit-Workers.pdf\">sent a letter<\/a> to the Trump administration asking for help in the aftermath of Spirit\u2019s mass layoffs. The Transportation and Labor Departments responded accordingly with federal resources.<\/p>\n<p>Roughly 17,000 Spirit employees, including nearly 5,000 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4555197\/florida-jetblue-aid-spirit-employees-airline-shut-down\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/business\/4555197\/florida-jetblue-aid-spirit-employees-airline-shut-down\/\">based in Florida<\/a>, all lost their jobs at once. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, formerly the primary hub for Spirit flights, was impacted the most by Spirit\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ambitious creator runs crowdfunding bid to buy defunct Spirit Airlines, raising $337M+ in pledges<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2600802,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP25072590570138.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[14743,4087,10377,15467,45214],"class_list":["post-2600801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-aviation","tag-campaign","tag-crowdfunding","tag-fundraising","tag-spirit-airlines"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP25072590570138.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600801","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2600801"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600801\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2600805,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2600801\/revisions\/2600805"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2600802"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2600801"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2600801"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2600801"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}