VALENCIA, Spain — Richard Branson says he will try to end the bickering between his billionaire friends so the America's Cup doesn't spend any more time in the courts.

Branson told The Associated Press that holder Alinghi and challenger BMW Oracle's legal wrangling "shouldn't happen, it spoils a great sport. Somebody should have banged heads together a long time ago."

Branson saw Alinghi president Ernesto Bertarelli Thursday before meeting BMW Oracle counterpart Larry Ellison. The Virgin Atlantic president says he will try to ensure there are no more court cases so "this sport is looked after for future generations."

Branson said Virgin could form a team for the next edition only if current British syndicate Team Origin were to lose its funding.